Chapter 696: The Witch and the Magic Tower (10)

District 54.

A city abandoned and ruined, its expansion development halted.

Cold winds howled through the half-built structures, scattering skeletal concrete and shattered neon signs.

Among these derelict buildings, a small library stood relatively intact.

Lennok and Tatiana had taken shelter inside the library, escaping the wind.

“Libraries are usually built sturdily from the design stage, considering the weight of the books,” Lennok said, perching between fallen bookshelves, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

“As they’re also considered disaster shelters, they tend to be well-preserved and managed. You picked a good spot.”

It didn’t take long to contact Virgil, explain their purpose, and set a time and place.

Though he had never truly worked or commuted, Lennok was, strictly speaking, an outside director of the Cartel.

If judged by his accumulated performance, he possessed authority comparable to the executive board.

With direct access to the executive board’s communication lines, arranging a meeting wasn’t difficult.

“I knew you’d been active in Vulcan for a long time, but I didn’t realize you could actually summon Olivera Ron Maize herself,” Tatiana asked, surveying the ruined library’s landscape.

“Then again, it wouldn’t be strange for a wizard of your caliber to have some sort of acquaintance with her…”

“You seem interested in Olivera.”

“Well… yes. She’s very different from other wizards,” Tatiana admitted frankly.

“Even on the Central Front, where all sorts of monsters gather, it’s almost unheard of for someone to completely change their magical system. To gamble and twist one’s lineage, even at the cost of Hierarchy degradation, just to process innate superhuman abilities… She’s an exceptional person in many ways.”

“…”

Tatiana spoke as if tracing her memories, leaning against a shelf opposite Lennok.

“I heard she used to wander the continent, which is probably why quite a few high-ranking Magic Tower officials remember her. I occasionally heard stories about her.”

It wasn’t incomprehensible, considering that Grisha, the sorcerer who moved within the Eyes of Blue, and the Matriarch of the Summoning Magic Tower, whom he met in the Hanghasa Labyrinth, had both mentioned her.

That many sorcerers reminisced about her was proof that Olivera’s past actions were intense and unique.

Yet, she returned to Vulcan after her travels and secluded herself within the Cartel, dedicating herself to research, so it was natural for her to seem unusual.

Thinking about it, there were many aspects of Olivera’s officially known history that were difficult to understand.

“I’m not uninterested in such rumors or stories, but…” Lennok nodded, subtly touching his left arm, which was concealed by his coat.

“I don’t know if Olivera herself will come. I merely told her I had something to discuss and asked her to arrange a meeting.”

“…You just summoned her out of the blue to meet?”

“I informed them that it concerns a Deadrise matter, so they will likely have their leadership respond,” Lennok replied.

“Besides, I’ve had almost no contact with the Cartel recently… I’m not even sure if my position there still exists.”

“…”

To pinpoint the last time he met Olivera, he’d have to go back to the time of the closed-off zone mana particle contamination incident.

Lennok’s eyes deepened as he recalled his memories.

‘She must still remember what happened in the closed-off zone.’

Closed-off Zone 25, where he delved into Kaiser’s past.

At that time, while handling the disaster with figures from decades ago in the collapsed power plant, Lennok encountered and clashed with the past Olivera, who had mastered Illuminated Magic, and eventually received her dramatic cooperation.

Olivera even pierced through the current and past timelines to offer Lennok direct advice.

She, too, must have known what choices her past self made and what outcome she faced.

And Lennok somewhat understood what it meant for her to have offered help at that specific moment.

Ultimately, the outcome Olivera Ron Maize desired was—

“…Van.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Lennok and Tatiana simultaneously turned their gazes, sensing an intense feeling of déjà vu from the distance.

“Fortunately, she seems to have arrived herself.”

Clink!

With a small chime, a dazzling light erupted from beyond the ruined city streets.

Simultaneously, hundreds of attendants emerged from various parts of the ruins, beginning to form a massive human shield.

The empty city suddenly filled with presences, yet a strange silence hung in the air; no footsteps or voices were heard.

Thump!

As hundreds of attendants seamlessly positioned themselves around the streets, forming a path, and the library was set down at their destination, a palanquin adorned with five-colored silk appeared, slowly descending toward them from the edge of the ruins.

Boom!

Four muscular giants with red skin bore the palanquin, moving toward the library.

Each step of the monstrous, demonic giants, whose forms were not even human, caused the earth to rumble, spewing sorrowful magical energy in all directions.

The magical pressure, pressing down on the library from the approaching palanquin, intensified. Just standing before the library caused its door to shatter, transforming into an entryway for the palanquin.

Thud!

As the resplendent palanquin entered, a bright glow seemed to spread across the gloomy library lobby.

The four red giants carrying the palanquin slowly knelt, lowering their shoulders.

The palanquin floated slightly in the air, barely touching the ground.

Simultaneously, the dazzling palanquin’s door swung open, revealing the sight within.

A vast palanquin filled with colorful flowers, containing an empty frame.

Behind it, only a small, bowed doll silently clutched the frame.

“What in the…”

The moment Tatiana furrowed her brow at the strangeness, the bowed doll spoke telepathically.

[It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that shameless face, Adamant Thunder.]

A calm, chilling female voice emanated from the doll.

The doll, having set down the frame it had been clutching, gracefully stood up and slowly stepped out of the palanquin.

It wore a splendid Dopo and a veil that obscured its face, leisurely covering its mouth with one hand.

Its appearance and every gesture were no different from Lennok’s memories.

Except that the doll’s height barely reached Lennok’s waist.

“…I didn’t expect you to show your face in such a manner.”

Lennok stared at the doll in silence for a long time before chuckling.

“Olivera. Have you abandoned research and become engrossed in playing with dolls?”

Olivera Ron Maize, an 8-level Archmage and the Chairman of the Cartel.

One of the leaders of The Triad and a capitalist possessing the most immense wealth and businesses even in the underworld.

The magnate of the corporate conglomerate, who could never be excluded when speaking of the shadow of the megacity, had not ignored Lennok’s message.

However, instead of coming herself, she had sent this lavish palanquin and doll as a representation of her will.

And she had done so by simultaneously deploying hundreds of attendants throughout the area to guard the palanquin and the doll.

[And you, on the other hand, have become even more unbearable in appearance.]

Olivera, speaking through the doll, snorted.

[To have broken limbs and still enjoy carefree outings, your arrogance bordering on debauchery merely makes me laugh.]

“…”

[I hear you caused quite a stir in Machina before returning, didn’t you? Seeing you, it seems karma does exist, after all.]

Lennok gave a bitter smile at the immediate jab, seeing his appearance as a patient with a cane and bandages.

“You’re one to talk. If you can’t even go out in your own body, aren’t you in a more serious state than me?”

[It’s a matter of procedure, not utility.]

The doll calmly spoke telepathically from behind its veil.

[If one wishes to avoid bothersome tasks while refining one’s inner self, some precautions are necessary.]

‘Is she saying she’s in a situation where she can’t directly go outside due to her personal research?’

Considering she was perfectly fine walking around during the closed-off zone incident, it would be correct to assume her condition has sharply deteriorated recently.

Nevertheless, upon receiving Lennok’s call, she chose this troublesome method to speak directly.

But Lennok was more intrigued by the reason Olivera casually mentioned than by her answer.

“Refining your inner self?”

[Will and desire have form, and it is natural for them not to align with the purpose indicated by reason, is it not?]

The doll replied.

[If you cut away unnecessary parts, unintended directions emerge, and if you process them well, you can consciously control coincidence.]

The doll gently pressed down on its swaying veil with one hand and smiled.

[As always, I was merely toying with cause and effect. There’s nothing else to say, really.]

“…”

Lennok knew why Olivera chose The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye instead of such powerful Illuminated Magic.

The failure of the Black Consumer Project.

At the end of the failed plan, she awakened The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye and gained its power.

As a result of twisting her system, even at the cost of Hierarchy degradation, she became an Archmage who transcended Hierarchy through Mystic Eye arts.

There was only one reason she endured such enormous sacrifice and took such a gamble.

It was because, through the abilities of The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye, she had gained the power to directly interfere with the concept of causality.

At the time, he didn’t understand why Olivera delved so deeply into that ability, but now he somewhat did.

To forcibly rewrite the end of a story once witnessed.

To even change the cause of a timeline whose outcome was predetermined.

It requires a sacrifice of everything and a miracle beyond common sense.

[As you know, I cannot enjoy external excursions for long. Projecting my will outside in this body is merely unpleasant.]

The doll straightened its back and tilted its head back, looking down on Lennok and Tatiana.

[So, quickly state the reason for summoning me. If you’ve received the honorable position of outside director, fulfill your duty.]

Tatiana turned her head with a bewildered expression.

“Is she always like this?”

“She seems much more arrogant than I remember…”

Lennok muttered, then nodded.

He understood that Olivera was in a situation where she couldn’t act directly.

First, he should briefly explain what had happened so far.

Lennok immediately explained that Blaiver Tower and Deadrise had joined forces and were producing a satellite using humans as material.

He also mentioned that Peshia Grisbern, a Deadrise executive, had returned to Vulcan for this purpose and was currently manufacturing an engine.

While mentioning Tatiana’s assistance, he suitably concealed the specific details.

It took less than two minutes to convey his intention to attack the Tentacion Corporation’s satellite factory.

[An interesting story, but a few crucial facts are missing.] Olivera said as soon as she heard the tale.

[Adamant Thunder, you know what kind of individuals you’re referring to, don’t you?]

“…”

[They are individuals with excessively swollen and arrogant self-will and initiative. They wouldn’t move with just those conditions…]

The doll gracefully stepped back and sat on the palanquin, nodding.

[It seems more explanation is needed. It appears the wizard you brought is more deeply involved.]

Olivera asked with a hint of amusement in her voice.

[Is the Magic Tower of Flame now trying to set foot in Vulcan—]

“I intend to establish a Magic Tower.”

The moment Lennok replied, the doll’s voice cut off abruptly.

“I’ve secured the necessary authority and conditions through a deal with Tatiana; now it’s just a matter of public announcement.”

The doll did not reply.

It merely remained motionless, perched on the palanquin, as if its consciousness had been severed on the spot.

It was some time before Olivera’s telepathic voice resonated again.

[I see. A new Magic Tower…]

Olivera, silently murmuring those words, then asked,

[Did the Central Council ultimately grant you that authority?]

“I acquired the authority through a deal with the Speaker of the Central Council’s Senate,” Lennok nodded.

“You, who are acquainted with Madrich Onnion, would know. He told me that this authority was originally offered only to him and a few others.”

There were several candidates, including Onnion and Lennok, but Lennok was the only one officially approved to establish a Magic Tower.

And all those candidates must have been exceptional Archmages capable of establishing their own Magic Towers and transmitting magical systems.

And from the moment he began this conversation, Lennok had something he wanted to ask Olivera.

“Olivera. Were you also ever advised by the Central Council to establish a Magic Tower?”

Considering she wasn’t particularly surprised by Lennok’s words, it was clear that Olivera knew the Central Council offered authority regarding Magic Towers.

However, Lennok wanted to know if Olivera had ever been offered that authority by the Central Council.

If so, why did Olivera refuse the offer and create the Cartel instead?

[You’re interested in uninteresting facts.]

But Olivera scoffed, shaking her head.

[Among the project’s participants, Onnion was the only one who officially received that offer.]

“Why?”

[Because the only one who satisfied the conditions to establish a Magic Tower was that stubborn Military Spirit Wizard. In the first place, among the officials at the time—]

The doll spoke that far, then stopped as if bored.

[…Right, past events don’t really matter. It’s simply more interesting that you, of all people, accepted the deal.]

Olivera chuckled.

[I knew you weren’t interested when you left useless titles and idle rumors to others, but were you inherently someone who found no meaning in taking on a prominent role?]

“…”

The moment Lennok ignored her words and was about to ask something else, the doll slowly nodded.

[Very well. However, on the condition that you capture Peshia Grisbern alive and bring her to me.]

“Alive?”

[There’s something I want to confirm with that Ghost Princess of a killer. There’s also a noteworthy achievement by the Ghost Princess on the Central Front…]

Having said that, Olivera curtly cut her words short.

[Let’s call it personal business. Will you accept?]

“No.”

Lennok shook his head.

“That’s where the price doesn’t add up on my end. You must know how difficult that would be.”

Deadrise’s Ghost Princess.

A transcendent spear user who fights by possessing ancestral spirits, and a physically powerful superhuman strong enough to have fought Antares one-on-one.

Facing her head-on would clearly be a challenging battle, but the difficulty of capturing her alive and dragging her before Olivera would be on an entirely different dimension.

It’s an accomplishment that cannot be easily achieved with mere combat prowess.

Olivera seemed to understand this and nodded.

[Indeed. Then I shall adjust the terms.]

“Adjust the terms?”

[You said you would establish a Magic Tower. How about this?]

Lennok felt as if the doll’s eyes curved into a round shape.

[I permit you to inscribe my name in the hall of the Magic Tower you establish.]