Chapter 607: Suspicious Engineer (5)

Meister.

Among the artisans active in the Machine City, Machina, it is a title that proves their skill and standing have reached a pinnacle.

It sometimes refers to experts who have achieved unparalleled success not only in mechanical and magical engineering but also in production fields like agriculture or fishing. In terms of prestige and rarity alone, they are considered even more valuable and noble than the Machine City’s Enforcers.

Especially in workshop districts like this, where artisans congregate, it’s a name that should not be casually uttered.

“While I appreciate the sentiment…”

Perhaps even this remark was a veiled hint from Isabella, meant to gauge Lennok’s reaction. Thinking so, Lennok wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled.

“I don’t believe my skills or background would meet such strict criteria.”

“Of course, I’m not saying you instantly qualify for the title of Meister right now.”

Isabella said, without batting an eye, as she calmly pulled a business card from her pocket and extended it forward.

“I merely believe you possess a special talent, one significant enough to bypass all the educational processes, background checks, and skill verifications required to earn the Meister title… to put you forward as a candidate.”

“…”

“It starts with a selection ceremony. Proven artisans will compete to showcase their skills, and those who win the competition will be awarded the Meister title based on the judges’ evaluations.”

Seeing Lennok remain silent, Isabella quietly lowered her voice.

“The position of Meister can only be obtained through posthumous succession. Once this year’s selection ceremony is over, there’s no telling when a vacancy will open up until an existing Meister passes away.”

Was she trying to persuade Lennok that such an opportunity wouldn’t come easily? Isabella nodded as she watched him slowly reach out and take the business card.

“There will be a simple test. If you intend to participate, contact the number on this card within three days.”

The satellite districts of Machina were complexly divided.

Click, click!!

A breathless spectacle of all sorts of mechanical equipment and iron barriers ceaselessly moving and racing across the ground.

Whooshhh…!!

But even amidst that chaos, whenever the two figures, their hoods pulled low, moved, barriers would part like waves, security would disarm, and a path to the city’s depths would open.

Machine City Enforcers. The authority granted to these elite units of Machina while performing their duties was comparable to that of the Ex Machina, the Machine City’s Supreme Council.

Even within the constantly shifting city districts, surrounded by all manner of security and barriers, the Enforcers’ steps never paused for a moment.

“How was it?”

Uzart asked Isabella, who had been lost in thought without a word since leaving the workshop.

“This artisan, Van. From what I saw, he seems more than qualified to participate in the selection ceremony.”

“More than qualified, in fact.”

Isabella replied quietly.

“There aren’t even ten artisans in this city skilled enough to modify Clark’s equipment as they please.”

Lennok might not have known it, but Clark Lonsdale’s name was one of the well-known brands among those who used high-end equipment in Machina.

This was because, despite the extremely delicate and precise manufacturing process and the notorious frequency of breakdowns, his equipment often boasted exceptional performance and functions.

Even among high-ranking Enforcers, including those of the Ex Machina, there were many enthusiasts who favored his equipment.

If it became known that Lennok could service Clark’s equipment, he would undoubtedly see a surge in customers.

“Rather, what stood out more than his dexterity or maintenance skills was his ingenuity… That level of genius and creativity is a realm of ability that cannot be cultivated through ordinary training.”

Isabella stated with conviction.

“He’s a born engineer. Enough for me to fully guess why Mouser is pretending not to know him and protecting him.”

“I understand Master Mouser hasn’t left the Machine City in years, so I can’t imagine where he found such a genius.”

“He didn’t ‘find’ him. If Mouser had anything to do with a recently issued Ticket, there would undoubtedly be a record of it.”

“Oh, then?”

“That man created his own Ticket outside the Machine City and entered.”

“…”

At her assertion, Uzart’s expression momentarily froze in disbelief.

“Is that even possible?”

“Aren’t the security barriers in the outer districts relatively slow to update? Perhaps he exploited that, infiltrated an outer district, and then requested Mouser’s help.”

Even without having a single personal conversation with Lennok, Isabella had deduced the circumstances of his entry into the Machine City quite accurately.

While it was impossible to even speculate about someone with no information, it was a different story once she had met him directly and confirmed his personality and talent.

“He’s not arrogant or overly emotional. The fact that he set up shop in an empty workshop is likely because he wanted to avoid attracting attention in the workshop district.”

“Hmm…”

“Given his excellent skills as an artisan, I suspect he might have come from another city after doing similar work there…”

“Ah, come to think of it, isn’t there a wizard in the megacity with the alias Adamant Thunder?”

Uzart asked as if remembering something.

“Since his name, Van, is the same, could there be some connection?”

Uzart didn’t for a moment think that the artisan staying at the workshop was Adamant Thunder himself.

All Enforcers were high-tier superhumans confident in their sensory abilities and their own power.

Furthermore, as they also served as investigative agents, they were exceptionally keen at assessing and detecting others’ abilities.

It was almost an understatement to say that the probability of them failing to notice the power of a wizard as famous and powerful as Adamant Thunder was nearly zero.

At most, he was merely questioning a possible connection due to the shared name.

But Isabella shook her head even at Uzart’s remark.

“The Adamant Thunder of the megacity has been refraining from outside activities for the past few months due to a severe injury.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“The only official activity he’s undertaken recently was participating in a city government operation a month ago.”

Isabella stated definitively.

“It’s unlikely that such a major figure would be moving so busily within such a short period. He’s probably not related to Adamant Thunder.”

Having dealt with various high-tier superhumans, Isabella knew that powerful figures with immense strength rarely left their positions easily.

As one accumulated higher Hierarchy and gained tremendous power, it became increasingly difficult to wield and manage it.

The very fact that a high-tier wizard had moved directly implied that there was an incident of equivalent risk and significance.

“Wizards, especially, are all extremely sensitive about their condition. If he had the presence of mind to worry about this place even while injured…”

“If he did?”

“He’d be spending that time looking for ways to challenge Ascension.”

“…You’re kidding, right?”

Uzart chuckled and shook his head.

“Well, then it’s highly unlikely he’s from the megacity. But we’ve found another artisan to participate in the selection ceremony, so isn’t that good?”

“Yes, but…”

But knowing that, Isabella’s reaction still seemed somewhat suspicious.

“That man. He didn’t seem entirely unfamiliar with Clark.”

“…”

The artisan’s demeanor and reactions in the workshop showed no discernible flaws to the two Enforcers.

He seemed abnormally quick-witted and dexterous, but that was merely a matter of individual exceptionalism. If anything, those very traits made it seem less suspicious to question his background or motives.

Nevertheless, Isabella instinctively felt that there was still something unresolved about the artisan.

“Perhaps he knew the name Lonsdale, rather than just Clark.”

At that moment, Uzart’s face seemed to stiffen slightly.

“…No way. Are you saying he knows Clark’s blood relative?”

“…”

Just mentioning Clark Lonsdale’s blood relative was enough to subtly change the Enforcers’ demeanor. Clark’s own blood relative and elder sister was once the most respected and greatest superhuman in this Machine City.

Maiya Lonsdale.

That criminal, once hailed as Machina’s top and strongest Enforcer, had abandoned everything and fled with the failure of the Ascension Gate.

All that remained now were the countless achievements Maiya Lonsdale had accumulated as an Enforcer, and the stains of a disgraced past.

Enforcers with an ear for outside news had heard rumors that she had joined Pandemonium, but few spoke her name regardless. It was simply a continuous reminder that, as a top-tier criminal who had fled after the forgotten Ascension Gate failure, her appearance would trigger a city-wide deployment order for all Enforcers, like a disaster.

“We don’t know yet.”

Isabella said, reaching into her pocket and quietly caressing the handle of her amplification device.

“But if that’s the case, it would explain why Van was able to skillfully repair Clark’s equipment.”

“…”

“After all, Maiya Lonsdale couldn’t bear to abandon the equipment her brother had made for her, not even when she fled the city.”

“A Meister selection ceremony?”

“They said they would select outstanding artisans through a specific process.”

Lennok, sitting with his back to the workbench, replied to Mouser who had come after receiving his call.

“They said they wanted to give me an opportunity.”

“Haa…”

Mouser sighed, as if the ground were collapsing, and mumbled.

“Didn’t you say you’d quietly stick to being an artisan in the workshop?”

“The Machine City Enforcers are more capable than I anticipated.”

Lennok, adjusting his iron mask, chuckled and replied.

“I never thought they’d identify my location in just a few days and come disguised as customers.”

“I completely misjudged.”

Mouser said, rubbing his forehead.

“I should have known that a wizard of your caliber could easily make a name for himself as an engineer, even discreetly.”

“…”

“So, are you planning to participate in the selection ceremony?”

“I’m considering it.”

Lennok replied, skillfully cleaning the workbench and furnace.

“They mentioned that if I receive the Meister title, I won’t need to update my Ticket periodically and can enter the inner districts.”

“…I know you have business in the depths of Machina. If you’re moving directly, it must be a very serious matter.”

Mouser said with a grave expression.

“But receiving the Meister title is a completely different story. From that point on, the Ex Machina will directly manage your personal information and whereabouts.”

“…”

“Or do you intend to spend the rest of your life in the Machine City?”

Lennok knew what Mouser was worried about.

Machina, the Machine City, was called a paradise for mechanical and magical engineering.

But the city’s greatest assets were not its large and powerful machines, but the artisans who created, repaired, and maintained them.

The existence of artisans who breathed life into various fields, from mechanical and magical engineering to, at times, bio-engineering, was one of Machina’s most crucial values.

Therefore, artisans who were skilled and proven enough to receive the Meister title were thoroughly managed by the city as part of its assets.

If a Meister disappeared without any news or warning, the Enforcers would immediately move to reclaim the ‘asset’ that had vanished.

It wasn’t Mouser’s safety, but Lennok’s own well-being that could be severely jeopardized.

But Lennok, aware of this, smiled and shook his head at Mouser’s words.

“You speak as if I’ve already secured the Meister position. We still don’t even know what kind of competition the selection ceremony will involve, do we?”

“Van, but…!”

“Given how the Enforcers have approached me, it will be difficult to refuse participation in the selection ceremony itself.”

Isabella had probably anticipated this outcome to some extent when she suggested his participation in the selection ceremony. Even if they couldn’t trust Lennok immediately, making him a Meister and thus a city asset would make him safe.

The fact that they highly valued Lennok’s skill wasn’t bad, but it was clear that the current situation was not what Lennok had intended.

“I don’t covet or need the Meister title. In fact, based on the explanation I’ve heard so far, it seems more likely to be a hindrance.”

Lennok said.

“However, if I can make connections and exchange information with the skilled artisans participating in the selection ceremony, I might be able to access the information and situation I want more quickly… that’s what I’m considering.”

“Indeed, given that artisans will come from all over the Machine City, it would be an ideal environment to expand your network or acquire necessary information, but…”

“To distinguish myself enough to exchange information with other artisans, while simultaneously limiting my achievements enough not to be tied down by the Meister title.”

Lennok, after contemplating, nodded.

“Don’t you think it’s worth a try?”

“…”

Mouser, who had been staring at Lennok with a bewildered expression, slowly nodded.

“Your confidence already far exceeds that of a Meister. That much is certain.”

“I’ll participate in the selection ceremony. For now, I’ll contact the number on this card.”

Lennok said, picking up the old phone hanging on the workshop wall.

As soon as he dialed the number on the business card, the connection was made without even a dial tone.

Mouser, who was sipping his drink nearby, frowned when he saw Lennok’s expression slowly harden.

He forced himself to swallow his drink, as if chewing and swallowing liquor that had long gone bad, then asked Lennok, who had quietly put down the phone.

“It didn’t go well, did it? Even for an Enforcer, allowing an artisan with an unclear identity to participate in the selection ceremony…”

“No, it wasn’t the selection ceremony contact.”

“What?”

Lennok replied, then rose and slowly picked up his coat. Wearing a thick jumper befitting an artisan, Lennok carefully adjusted his iron mask in the mirror.

After confirming that his features were obscured enough that one couldn’t accurately discern them even face to face, Lennok turned around with satisfaction. Only then did Mouser ask again.

“But I thought you didn’t even say a few words after calling. Did you set up an appointment in that short time?”

“It was a commissioner from the Ex Machina.”

At Lennok’s casually dropped words, Mouser blinked his eyes and asked.

“…I didn’t mishear that, did I?”

The Ex Machina, Machine City’s Supreme Council.

The core leadership that commanded Machina, the colossal living machine city.

A power group that revised city policies in the short term and suggested future directions in the long term.

These were distinguished individuals who would never directly leave contact information in a workshop district like this; even skilled artisans or superhumans found it difficult to meet them face-to-face.

Their standing was in no way inferior to that of the Central Council members in Vulcan.

One of the commissioners, who wielded such power, had contacted Lennok in response to his call.

“I got through to their secretary’s office. The Ex Machina commissioner wants to test whether I’m qualified to enter the selection ceremony.”