Chapter 582: How to Use Space (6)

A sudden blackout temporarily hit the commercial district where the headquarters was located, cutting power to hundreds of nearby buildings.

It was a powerful power outage, severe enough to temporarily deplete the entire street’s power supply.

And space magic, deployed by drawing and gathering that much energy, using it as fuel as if setting the sea ablaze.

“I knew that forcing the output to overload and adjusting its function could induce particle repulsion, but this wasn’t the intended outcome.”

Lennok muttered, watching the shower of violet light falling from the sky.

“An anti-matter magic particle weapon that causes low-temperature annihilation by its very nature of instability. But because of that…”

Kiiiiiing!!

Lennok gripped the glass-blue radiance shining in his hand and flung it straight up into the sky.

“It’s not easy to maintain that instability for long.”

Creation-type Unique Magic: Applied Spatial Sorcery [Distorted Brilliance] [Secret Radiance Veil]

A colossal glass-blue barrier rose before Lennok, receiving the shower of violet light pouring down from the sky.

Crrrrrack!!!!

It wasn’t merely a wall erected to block the light shower’s approach.

Even as the violet light advanced relentlessly, the light that passed through the glass-blue barrier still failed to reach the ground.

It was as if an invisible space was infinitely stretched, forcing the light shower to swim disorientingly through it.

A profound technique that didn’t repel external forces but rather drew them deeply inward, yet never allowed them to reach beyond.

Only then did the faces of the other superhumans harden, realizing what type of magic Lennok was using to withstand the bombardment.

“Spatial distortion…!!”

O’Neil muttered in a voice filled with shock.

“Unbelievable. A mere wizard creating a spatial barrier of this magnitude…!!”

Everyone had confirmed that Lennok was drawing on the Cartel’s headquarters’ reserve power, yet it was still hard to believe.

The power supplied to the Cartel headquarters was mostly industrial electricity, used for circulating the facility, not pure mana prepared for wizards.

To draw such large amounts of electricity and use them for spell manifestation, one would have to convert the electricity into mana in real-time, even adjusting its purity.

Even a slight mistake could result in becoming an imbecile or dying from the backlash; it wouldn’t be surprising.

A transcendent mana sensitivity that no physical ability user present, constantly honing their bodily senses, could ever boast of.

What did it mean to have successfully completed such a high-difficulty task in this chaotic situation, amidst raging steam and heat, with just a momentary burst of concentration?

It meant that the man standing before the split wall of the underground vault had begun to fully comprehend the very concept of space and wield it as a fundamental law.

It was proof that he was directly manipulating space.

Whooooosh!!!

The violet light shower, raging wildly between the distorted spatial barriers, spun on itself, biting its tail to form a colossal ring.

As it formed a circulating circle, the particle weapon instantly began to lose its power and dissipate on the spot.

The uncanny feeling of the anti-matter particle cannon, which should have completely annihilated the Cartel headquarters district, simply fading away on the spot.

Before everyone could fully grasp its meaning, Lennok slowly raised his other hand, the one not gripping the power cables.

Craaack!!

At the same moment, the distorted barrier that had blocked the underground vault split into dozens of fragments, scattering and embedding themselves across the ground.

A precision manipulation ability beyond compare, splitting and isolating the entire shattered hollow space as if it were broken glass.

Not just the concept of spatial distortion, but also the skillful application of the concept itself through delamination and isolation.

However, what first caught the eyes of the Agent operatives and the Cartel’s executives wasn’t Lennok’s outrageous space magic.

Within the countless fragments of spatial barriers that had thus been isolated, only Lennok and Greta remained, facing each other in isolation.

“Director Greta!!”

“Damn it, he was aiming for this from the start…!!”

Chain and the other operatives tried to move, but a giant of blood and a beast with pure white fur blocked their path, as a chilling barrier of ice settled before them.

“Not only did he understand the principles of the anti-gravity engine, but he could reverse-engineer its application to dismantle it….”

Greta let out a bitter laugh and a sigh, having realized the truth.

“Do you know that even if you brought bundles of the Central Council’s quantum computers, you couldn’t even attempt this here? He’s nothing short of a mad monster.”

The anti-matter particle weapon, created by overloading the anti-gravity engine.

Lennok didn’t simply block the particle cannon head-on and neutralize its power.

He adjusted the direction of the spatially distorted barrier, recreating the anti-matter particle weapon’s generation process in reverse.

Within the spatial barrier, he forcibly stabilized the anti-matter energy, completely nullifying its power.

Space-type magic that devoured mana madly. A momentary miracle attempted with output pushed to its limits, scraping clean the Cartel headquarters’ reserve power.

[Uoooohhh!!!!]

The pyromancer furiously unleashed flames, trying desperately to rescue her, but they only dissipated, unable to reach through the isolated spatial barriers.

“You probably never intended to directly intervene in this operation from the start.”

Lennok smiled, slowly walking to stand before Greta.

“Knowing that there would be considerable damage to the power, yet showing yourself directly, means you abandoned the original plan and shifted to another approach, didn’t you?”

Greta Wilderhild’s strategies and plans so far had been extremely drastic and full of gambles.

But that was only because they were decisions accompanied by clear justifications and reasons for her.

However, her final appearance in the underground hollow, accompanied by the pyromancer, was far removed from planning or calculation.

Given that it had dragged on much longer than planned, her true objective must have been to collapse the headquarters district, create chaos, and then safely escape.

Lennok had noticed this early on and nullified Greta’s gambit with a single move.

“But conversely, it means that if I tie up your movements alone, I can preemptively halt all of the Agents’ actions.”

That’s why he had been waiting for the single moment when he could tie down Greta Wilderhild.

If the Agents’ operational plan, at the point Greta stepped to the front, was entirely reliant on her improvisation,

then by capturing her alone, the actions of the other operatives would also come to a halt.

Dozens of superhumans wielded mana, sending shockwaves in all directions, trying to break through the isolated spatial distortion barriers and escape.

But the small room isolated at the center of the hollow, surrounding the two, was astonishingly quiet.

Click!

Lennok raised his revolver, placed a hand on Greta’s shoulder, turned her around, and asked.

“Shall we continue?”

“Haa, as expected, nothing in this world goes as planned. That’s why hitting hard and getting out quickly was so important….”

Greta sighed deeply, then smiled faintly and raised both hands.

“I surrender. First, could you please release this damn stifling spatial barrier?”

The sudden clash between the Cartel and the Agents. The Agent raid operation that unfolded in the headquarters district.

Despite the astonishing achievement of having captured Director Greta Wilderhild in reverse during the process, the fact never leaked to the media.

The existence of a wizard who had mediated all those incessantly escalating conflicts and clashes with a single act of Creation Magic.

It was because the parties involved in this incident did not wish for the current situation, resolved not by their own power but by the intervention and talent of a third party, to escalate any further.

Click!

The vast CEO’s office, where hundreds of attendants and dozens of executives had returned, standing guard.

At the center of gazes filled with thick hostility and blatant killing intent, Greta sat with a sullen expression, her entire body bound.

“A ticket to Machina, the Machine City?”

“I assume the Agents would have such tickets.”

Lennok, idly flicking a cigarette across from her, said.

“I understand your organization has a long history and has collaborated with various other cities many times. There would be Agents with tickets.”

As Lennok spoke, he toyed with Kansoah’s ticket, which he had obtained from the underground vault.

Greta, seeing the ticket designed as a bio-chip for arm implantation, raised her bound hands to scratch her chin.

“It’s not just that level; we actually have an operative deep undercover in Machina. If you want, transferring their identity to you wouldn’t be difficult.”

“Good. Get it now.”

“No, more importantly… is the first condition for this negotiation a ticket to Machina?”

Greta, with a dumbfounded expression, glanced up at Virgil, who was standing behind Lennok.

“The fact that you’re negotiating instead of Virgil, and that you’ve decided to hand over the entire Cartel to this wizard friend?”

“Of course not.”

Virgil replied, his brow twitching.

“It’s simply that Van’s contribution in this matter was significant, so his demands are being addressed first. Our conditions are separate.”

“Hmm….”

“You’ll have to pay three years’ worth of the Agents’ budget as compensation, and sign a contract agreeing not to interfere with the Cartel’s business districts for the next five years.”

Thud!!

Virgil placed the mana-written contract on the desk, overtly staring into Greta’s eyes.

“Originally, I wanted to set a much longer contract period than this, but then your superiors might immediately replace your position.”

“……”

To pay several years’ worth of a special agency’s allocated budget as compensation all at once would be impossible without liquidating a large amount of the agency’s stored resources.

This condition itself could significantly hinder the Agents’ aggressive stance.

Moreover, a contract in which Greta herself swore not to touch the Cartel’s business districts.

If limited to a validity of about five years through the power of Geas, it could even claim her life as a penalty.

“The contract itself is solely focused on restricting my actions….”

Greta, scanning the contract with her hands still bound, let out a bitter laugh.

“Indeed, quite intelligent. It seems you didn’t learn for nothing from Olivera.”

“I know why you’re capable of devising and executing such reckless operations.”

Virgil said, casting a sharp gaze.

“An act of tyranny impossible without explicit confirmation from the Central Council that it can be handled. You definitely have backing, don’t you?”

“……”

“I know that killing you here won’t end things. So, isn’t it enough to simply leash you so that your schemes don’t affect our headquarters?”

Only then, seeing Greta lose her smile, Virgil smiled in return.

“You may continue to command the Agents and run wild in the shadows. Just exclude our business operations. We’ll simply quietly reap the profits from behind you.”

“Ha….”

Greta, smiling back helplessly, extended her hand.

“Give me the pen. I need to sign.”

She pricked the tip of her wrist with the pen nib to draw blood, then directly wrote her own name on the contract.

A binding completed not by coercion or pressure, but purely by Greta’s own will through signing the contract.

Shimmer!!

The words inscribed on the contract surged up her arm after she signed, coiling around her forearm, glowing as if imprinted, then vanished.

Greta grimaced, realizing that the Geas had properly embedded itself within her body.

“Damn it, it always feels terrible.”

“It seems you’ve had similar experiences many times?”

“These kinds of Geas? I already have about five more.”

Greta waved her hand, smiling.

“If I’m not careful, I might die before I can uphold your Geas.”

“You’ve got nerve.”

Lennok chuckled and gestured, and the restraints binding her arms immediately broke.

Snap!!

“Didn’t you tie me up too tightly? I’m old now, and my skin elasticity isn’t what it used to be.”

Greta, rubbing her red, chafed wrists and feigning indignation, dramatically extended her hand toward Virgil.

“Well, since things have come to this, it seems we’re destined to work together. Let’s do our best from now on.”

“Indeed.”

Virgil didn’t deliberately refuse Greta’s extended handshake.

At this point, the Cartel’s losses would be compensated many times over.

Greta wouldn’t stop the aggressive momentum of the Agents, but the Cartel would no longer directly suffer from their actions.

Naturally, their focus would then shift towards other organizations in the underworld, rivals and competitors of the Cartel.

From the moment Greta herself was bound by the Geas, the Agents would no longer be the Cartel’s enemy, but rather serve as a vanguard.

She must have realized this fact upon seeing the contract and referred to herself as the Cartel’s partner.

“Let’s do well in the future.”

Snap!!

Greta, having received Virgil’s powerful handshake, sharply turned her gaze to Lennok.

“I’ll send the ticket to you as soon as I return to the Agents’ headquarters. Sending it via the Cartel headquarters should be fine, right?”

“Figure out the method yourself. Considering your backing, you probably already have a way to obtain the ticket.”

“……”

“It seems you’re enjoying strong protection from the Central Council, likely because you’ve made significant contributions to the city government’s affairs while your whereabouts were unknown.”

“Hmm.”

“Is there something you wish to achieve by reorganizing the Agents through the backing you’ve amassed?”

Greta smiled quietly at Lennok’s question.

“That’s right. I made a deal. A very dangerous one.”

“……”

“I’m in a hurry too. I stumbled for a moment today, but if I’m not dead, I have to get up and keep walking, right? What choice do I have?”

“My thoughts differ slightly from yours.”

Greta nodded at Lennok’s indifferent reply.

“Well, alright. Adamant Thunder, your name was Van, wasn’t it?”

She smiled, shaking Lennok’s hand without a care.

“Today we met as enemies, but tomorrow we might meet as external consultants. Our first meeting wasn’t great, but let’s meet as allies next time.”

“You’ve got some nerve. Already thinking about working together?”

Lennok also shook his head, looking at Greta.

“It’s been a while since I’ve received a direct commission. If you want to work together, you’ll have to come with a more appealing offer.”

“Puhahaha, was that supposed to be a joke?”

Greta heartily laughed at Lennok’s reply, then watched him with slightly subdued eyes.

“But you’re not wrong. I was a bit surprised to see that your demands took precedence over the Cartel’s compensation in this negotiation.”

“……”

“That means not only Virgil, but all members of the Cartel respect and follow your will and decisions. It also means you’re not just some monster with immense power.”

Greta nodded, looking at the unchanging expression on Lennok’s face.

“Do you understand what it means for this massive corporate conglomerate to risk losses and prioritize your demands for the sake of a single person?”

“……”

“I did anticipate variables in the plan, but knowing your significance within the Cartel to this extent is a significant gain in itself.”

Greta’s demeanor was casual as she replied, readily entrusting herself to the Cartel’s executives.

“So, I’ll make sure the ticket is sent to you first. If I don’t die, I’ll see you next time.”

Lennok quietly watched Greta’s retreating figure as she was escorted away, surrounded by high-level superhumans.

He probably intended to release her and the other Agents still bound below at an appropriate time.

Lennok rubbed his temples with a tired expression, leaning back into the sofa, then gestured to Virgil, who was staring intently down at him.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go with them?”

“Yes.”

Virgil said, then sat across from Lennok in the spot where Greta had been, lighting a cigarette.

“We shouldn’t kill Greta here today. I believe this judgment is for the best.”

“Shouldn’t kill her, you say….”

“Although the Agents started this, if things escalate further here, we too will inevitably suffer losses.”

Virgil replied, flicking his lighter and lighting his cigarette.

“Moreover, if we kill Greta, who is under the Council’s protection, we’ll have to face the Agents to the bitter end.”

“……”

“I don’t think it would be strange for such a day to come eventually, but at least not today….”

The ability to weigh profits and losses, dispassionately, even after the Cartel headquarters district faced a near-collapse crisis.

It seemed clear why Olivera had appointed Virgil as the new First Director and CEO of the Cartel.

Lennok nodded, having considered that much.

“If the Cartel thinks so, then it doesn’t matter. Shall we continue discussing the agreed-upon conditions?”

Most of what Lennok did in this incident was block off the underground vault and test new artifacts and space magic.

Although he consumed a considerable amount of mental power in applying various space magic techniques, all the mana used in the process was converted from the Cartel’s reserve power.

Lennok’s losses were minor; even Gileon’s damaged Iron-Plated Wings could be repaired immediately.

The clash between the Cartel and the Agents. While it appeared to favor the Cartel to some extent, it wasn’t a desire for the two organizations to fight to the bitter end and annihilate each other.

It was obvious that if the two forces of light and shadow, which had maintained positive cooperative relationships with Lennok despite their differing interests, were to disappear, the losses and chaos would outweigh any gains.

It was desirable to reach an agreement and maintain the status quo at an opportune moment, as they had just done.

The Cartel would begin to directly benefit from the Agents’ assets and actions, and the Agents, to recoup their losses, would begin to target the underworld more cautiously.

Lennok’s task wasn’t to concern himself with a non-existent order in the underworld, but to secure the Machine City ticket and collect the promised reward from Virgil.

Virgil also nodded at Lennok’s words, dismissing the other executives and attendants.

“Right, I promised to tell you about Kaiser’s demise. It’s not a complicated story, so I’ll tell you straight away.”

In the now quiet CEO’s office, Virgil gazed into Lennok’s eyes.

“After Kaiser’s death, there was much discussion among those involved about how to preserve his body.”

“……”

“The war was almost over, and there was only division and conflict. It was impossible to fully entrust his body to any single individual for preservation.”

Virgil said, lost in thought as if recalling the past.

“Kaiser’s power held a special meaning, different from others, and his physical body was no exception. In the end, at the last meeting, those with the most suitable abilities to preserve the body’s original form were entrusted with the task.”

“The fact that you know this already seems like an answer.”

Virgil paused for a moment at Lennok’s question, then nodded.

“That’s right. Those most sensitive to the weathering of human blood and flesh. The vampires were entrusted with that task.”

“……”

“I don’t know where Kaiser’s body is buried, its exact location.”

Virgil’s red eyes gleamed clearly.

“Find the vampire who has been responsible for preserving Kaiser’s body. Go to the Madam, who has lived the longest in this city.”