Chapter 829: The Knot (16)

An endless dark void. A desolate plain where only a black-stained chair sat isolated.

A simulated consciousness space, restructured by forcibly transforming the will-thought of the dead to allow for mental sharing.

This was a gathering Hylaea had recently arranged to exchange information about the various disasters constantly occurring across the continent.

Lennok too had visited this place before establishing his Magic Tower, to hear about the trends within Pandemonium.

But the issue the members connecting to this consciousness space today had to worry about was not that.

Kwoong!!

Lennok’s transformed body, swelled black, had grown monstrous, as if it would burst the consciousness space.

With every movement, a thunderous roar erupted, shaking the very ground, and his consciousness flickered slowly as if blinking.

Lennok’s form, alive and moving vibrantly like a pitch-black monster, constantly rippled.

At the intense sense of uncanny disturbance, as if his consciousness itself had shed its human form and transformed into a completely different being, the others quickly put distance between themselves.

Whoosh!!

With just a slight twitch, he swept away the chairs placed in the middle of the void, and in their place, a beast’s silhouette settled majestically.

Watching the bizarre body writhing from beyond the darkness, as if pushing open eyelids, the members muttered.

“He’s no different from a monster… That’s no ordinary consciousness.”

“To take on such a form in this consciousness space. Did that crazy bastard finally give up being human?”

Some worried or expressed irritation, while others scoffed or analyzed the situation.

“He’s a sorcerer of unique attributes, isn’t he? It wouldn’t be strange for him to go mad and break down at any time. His very mind might have been corrupted long ago.”

“I agree with you. He’s merely been hiding it until now; isn’t that form actually closer to his true nature…?”

Amidst the swiftly intermingling emotions and cynical remarks, Daymer stood up and shook his head.

If left to these insensitive attendees, the situation showed no signs of calming down.

“I understand you have something to tell me, so it would be best to calm down first.”

“…”

“Or do you intend to continue like this, consuming all of this consciousness space?”

Goohhh…!!

Far from answering, Lennok’s consciousness body fully lifted its head and spread its form on the spot.

That alone began to slowly warp and crush the consciousnesses of the other members connected to the space.

Beyond an extraordinary level, its ferocity, as if indiscriminately devouring others, caused mana and will-thought to flash everywhere.

Thump!!

“Victor!!”

Freyja, her hair tied back with an annoyed expression, screamed.

“Stop it now, or we might all get trapped here!!”

Even with Hylaea’s booming shouts piercing his mind, Lennok showed no reaction.

The ceaselessly swelling dark mist, writhing like a beast, pressed down on Vernon, who lay trampled beneath its feet.

“Ugh… I’m sober!! I’m completely sober now, so stop!!”

The heavy pressure was enough to make Vernon, whose face was red from being tipsy, wide-eyed and screaming.

Even in this unreal consciousness space, a difference in mental density was occurring, enough to cause pain.

Freyja, looking up at Lennok with a frown, shook her head.

“It’s no use. He doesn’t seem to be hearing us at all.”

“What in the world is happening?”

Hylaea, who had belatedly connected to the consciousness space, gaped upon seeing Lennok transformed into a monster.

“Hylaea, what happened to him?”

“…I don’t know. There was no sign of this at all before he connected here.”

Hylaea muttered, carefully observing Lennok’s monstrously transformed appearance.

“He seemed perfectly fine, almost unbelievably so, right after returning from Yorta.”

“He just returned from Yorta?”

Freyja spun her head around, looking aghast.

“Then was it him who brought down the Memorial Tower?”

“…I was planning to explain that fact at this meeting.”

While Hylaea shrugged, Daymer calmly summarized the situation.

“He was still coherent right after connecting. It seems something changed once he became aware of his own state.”

“What should we do? Should we collapse this consciousness space and expel him?”

“That’s absurd…”

The gloomy mannequin, which had been listening in silence, interjected into the conversation. Chebyen, who specialized in Doll Spellcraft, chuckled, rattling his own mannequin.

“This place is a consciousness space crafted from Agilon’s will-thought. It would be impossible to obtain such special ‘material’ again. Once it’s collapsed, we won’t be able to use it in the same way ever again…”

“Hey, doll handler. Do you want to die? So we should just leave him like that?”

“I’m merely suggesting we avoid ruining the consciousness space for one person… What’s your problem?”

CRACKLE…!!

Freyja and Chebyen glared at each other almost simultaneously, raising their will-thought.

Both were masters of Medial Spellcraft, each manipulating indirect or direct mediums like songs and dolls.

They were also key figures who had restructured this consciousness space to allow for mental sharing.

If a clash occurred between either of them, regardless of Lennok’s state, the simulated consciousness space would not remain intact.

At that moment, a husky male voice resonated from beneath Freyja’s feet.

“With Sabrina absent, there’s no need for you two to decide on the preservation of the consciousness space. I’d prefer it if you avoided unnecessary conflict.”

As a white furball wriggled into appearance, Freyja spun her head around and exclaimed.

“Doctor!!”

“It seems there’s a problem controlling his superficial consciousness, so let’s wait a moment.”

Daymer, recognizing him immediately, turned his gaze.

“Doctor. You’re here this time. I didn’t see you last time.”

“Since this matter is critical, I thought it necessary to brief the relevant parties.”

The Doctor said, looking at Lennok’s consciousness writhing above the void.

“It’s fortunate that the person concerned seems to have arrived safely. We’ll start as soon as he calms down.”

“No matter how I look at it, he doesn’t seem unharmed. Is it really alright to wait like this?”

Daymer said, looking at Lennok with a skeptical expression.

“I know how unstable the minds of sorcerers with unique attributes are. It’s a power that blossoms from a broken state, whether due to talent or environment.”

“…”

“That is the most dangerous kind of uncanny disturbance among them. In the worst case, it could even affect the consciousnesses of everyone gathered here.”

A pitch-black consciousness body whose true nature even the outlaws of Pandemonium could not guess.

Daymer understood from experience what the hollow sense of powerlessness, as if peering into the Outer Sea, signified.

That was the result of a consciousness that had chosen the most dangerous mode of existence in this world.

Something with immeasurable talent twisted and broken for a long time, a power that could only be perfected after decaying for ages.

To explain the ominous sensation he had felt previously when seeing the Marshal, just as Daymer was about to speak,

“Daymer, you might say that because you don’t know Victor well, but…”

The Doctor, speaking through the furball, let out a low chuckle.

“That Manipulation Wizard possesses a stronger self-consciousness than anyone I know. The possibility of him rampaging out of control is very low.”

“…”

“In my view, that’s closer to a backlash occurring during the process of controlling an overflowing superficial consciousness.”

Even as he spoke, the overflowing darkness, threatening to engulf its surroundings, was gradually dissipating on the spot.

The Doctor smiled, as if accurately seeing through the will-thought swirling beyond the darkness, and asked.

“You probably understand why this is happening, and it should be over by now. Isn’t that right, Victor?”

“…Perhaps.”

At that moment, Lennok’s reply echoed from beyond the monstrously swelled darkness.

The writhing veil of darkness shrank on the spot, then began to rotate, reducing its area and height, compressing and molding itself.

WHOOSH!!

Instantly restoring his original form, Lennok adjusted his mask and sat down on an empty chair.

Only then did Vernon, who had been pinned beneath his feet, let out a weak sigh, as if finally able to breathe.

“Ugh…”

“There’s nothing to understand. It was just a trivial disturbance.”

“You nearly blew this place apart and you call that a trivial disturbance?”

Lennok ignored Freyja’s annoyed muttering and fell into thought.

‘That was dangerous. I need to be more careful from now on.’

Because so many things had happened in Yorta, even Lennok found it difficult to guess the cause of his consciousness overflowing now.

The immediate things that came to mind were accepting the will-thought of the Outer Sea through the Temple of the Naked Unbound Sea, and receiving the modified Magic Scribes from the central city’s nobles.

The problem, separate from the consciousness he could somehow control, lay in the reactions of the members who had witnessed it.

“See, he’s not human. Right?”

“I asked Sabrina about it once, but she didn’t answer. She must be right…”

“He must be profoundly different from birth. There’s definitely a clue.”

There were those who openly discussed Lennok’s true nature as if they had figured it out, and those who reacted calmly as if they already knew.

Although he had denied it outright, he didn’t expect to silence Agneta and The Clown.

Without even attempting to stop them, Lennok, sweeping a hand over his mask, signaled to Daymer.

“Sit down. It seems we have something to discuss, don’t we?”

“…The matter of the 4th Corps is not my jurisdiction. I’ll tell you that upfront.”

Daymer replied, sitting in the chair with an expressionless face.

Having heard about what happened in Yorta, he understood what explanation Lennok wanted.

“Regardless of you turning Yorta upside down, pressuring Lieutenant General Mirva was an unwise decision.”

“…”

“She’s a soldier. A professional soldier, at that, obsessively fixated on performance and evaluations.”

With other members connecting to the consciousness space one by one behind them, Daymer spoke quickly.

He likely wanted to finish this discussion before the meeting began.

“Because of your hostage situation, she couldn’t enter Yorta and had to withdraw her corps, so she retaliated by publicizing your identity.”

“Retaliation, you say.”

“If you had simply killed General Song-ha on the spot, she would have been pleased. Lieutenant General Mirva is that kind of person.”

Towards a fellow General of Deadrise, Daymer’s words casually mentioned assassination to eliminate evidence.

Was this attitude, thoroughly straddling both factions and maintaining balance, an act, or his true intention?

“Is there a way to prevent the information leak?”

“The information has already been passed to the Central Front media, so it’s virtually impossible to contain now.”

Daymer shook his head.

“The situation grew excessively large the moment the Memorial Tower collapsed. It wasn’t information that could be hidden in the first place. If you wanted to conceal your actions, you should have been careful to the very end.”

“You know that wasn’t possible…”

The moment Croken intervened, the collapse of the Memorial Tower was practically predetermined.

The commotion in Yorta becoming known outside was also an unavoidable outcome.

Daymer’s words were close to an undisputed truth, but in the end, they held little immediate meaning for Lennok.

The Doctor opened his mouth, as if having sensed Lennok’s thoughts.

“Victor, it’s not impossible to keep the Yorta incident completely secret.”

The Doctor, leaping onto an empty chair as a white furball, said.

“If you deal with the media personnel who received information from Deadrise through a Consecration Ritual, you can cover up the rumors related to it without a trace.”

“A Consecration Ritual?”

Lennok replied, frowning beneath his mask.

“Not just assassination to silence, but a Consecration Ritual? What’s the reason for that?”

“The central media outlets are very afraid of getting involved with the Cult, you see.”

The Doctor chuckled.

“If you properly utilize human sacrifice, you can conveniently handle matters by leveraging the Cult’s notoriety.”

“…”

“Since Croken Asylus is involved, if you wish, I’ll help you out as if you’re incurring a debt.”

The Doctor was not originally someone who would interfere in the aftermath of such a situation, or voluntarily step forward.

Yet, for him to intervene at this point and offer to help Lennok, it must be because this incident is, indeed, related to Croken.

But Lennok refused the Doctor’s offer without a moment’s hesitation.

“That’s pointless. I’m not trying to prevent the leak because I’m worried about some troublesome notoriety.”

“Then what?”

“I’ve finished talking with Yorta’s leadership. Officially, I won’t be designated as the one who collapsed the tower. However…”

Lennok’s gaze, beyond his Obsidian Mask, flashed coldly.

“Regardless of who is responsible, I merely intended to clarify where this information leak originated from.”

“…”

It didn’t matter now if Victor’s notoriety or reputation spread in an undesirable direction.

From the moment he joined Pandemonium, being branded a criminal was something he had already accounted for.

He hadn’t expected to become a terrorist who collapsed the Memorial Tower, but this notoriety originated from Deadrise’s information leak, not Yorta’s official designation.

It would be enough to simply ensure that the blame was squarely placed on the Deadrise 4th Corps Commander later.

Lennok had wanted to meet Daymer here to ascertain and then convey that fact.

“Well, that’s…”

“That’s typical of you. You’d punish a Deadrise Corps Commander directly?”

“What a temper… Against a warlord of that caliber, it’s not something one would even bother attempting, due to the sheer hassle.”

“Well, in a way, he seems to be growing more and more like Myeong…”

Chebyen and the other members, as if they had expected it, assented and then scoffed.

Daymer, who had been subtly frowning, shook his head.

“Lieutenant General Mirva is a commander with considerable standing within Deadrise. You won’t be able to avoid making an enemy of her.”

Lennok scoffed.

“I’ve caught their General once before; it’s not an impossible feat.”

“…”

In the chillingly quiet atmosphere, the Doctor prattled on, undeterred.

“What a shame. It’s quite entertaining to apply pressure using a Consecration Ritual and watch the reactions. When we covered up Machina’s secrets before—”

“Doctor.”

GRAB!!

At that moment, a pale white hand appeared from thin air and snatched the furball. An Enforcer with a cold demeanor emerged from behind the Doctor and glared at him, causing the Doctor to shut his mouth with a smirk.

“Ah, Maiya. You arrived early. I heard it would take you a while.”

“…”

Maiya Lonsdale, who had gone into hiding after her work in Machina concluded, was also present at this gathering.

The Doctor and Maiya, Freyja and Chebyen, Daymer and Hylaea. Besides them, Vernon and about three unfamiliar faces were also present.

As he conversed with Daymer, the seats had gradually filled, and the members were now all looking in his direction.

“Let’s put the Deadrise matter aside for now, and begin the meeting.”

“The time we can maintain the consciousness space isn’t long. If you’re curious about the Yorta incident, inquire directly with Victor later.”

Hylaea, lightly clapping her hands to draw everyone’s attention, said.

“However, while the Yorta incident falls under our jurisdiction, the Machina incident is completely different. Everyone knows this, right?”

So, the very purpose of convening this meeting was, after all, the massacre that occurred in Machina.

As if the other members had also heard the news, they immediately began to reveal on-site information one by one.

“How many years has it been since the 2nd Apostle moved directly? As far as I know, there have been no official records of it since the Holy War.”

“Since an Apostle of the Cult killed half of the Supreme Council, it will likely escalate into a major diplomatic issue.”

“Did you hear that mercenaries from the central regions are heading towards Machina? There’s also talk that the Machine City might be joining a new war…”

“Torquepaz is also bustling because of it. There are even gamblers already assuming war and placing bets.”

“I don’t understand why the Cult is increasing its enemies at this point. Do they really want to wage war against the entire continent?”

Lennok too sat with his arms crossed, silently listening to their conversation.

As many of them worked on the front lines across the continent, the information exchanged was usually far ahead of media reports.

Unlike the media, which only reported on Machina’s massacre and destruction, here they were seriously discussing follow-up measures and the possibility of the Machine City’s involvement in the war.

However, the most sensitive and crucial information among them belonged to those directly or indirectly involved with Machina.

Maiya, who had been silently observing the situation, casually dropped a shocking fact.

“A delegation from the Order Alliance visited Machina.”

“…!!”

“The Vassal Spell-Lord himself made a move, I hear. He’s a disgusting piece of trash, but if a notorious homebody like him is moving, it’s no bluff.”

What did it mean that the Alliance, which was at war with the Cult, had sought out Machina?

It meant that another war, which had only existed as vague rumors, was now beginning to be presented with concrete evidence.

“Currently, the war between the Alliance and the Cult is proceeding with Spell-Lords and Apostles engaging, widening the front lines.”

The Doctor, as if adding to Maiya’s words, also presented the information he knew.

“If the Alliance requests Machina’s help, it’s highly probable that the focus will be on magic-engineering technology to counter the Apostles.”

“Since the Machine City’s goal will be to kill the 2nd Apostle who massacred the Supreme Council, the Alliance will also try to extract as much technology as possible using that as bait.”

“…”

Lennok remembered the 2nd Apostle, who had appeared immediately after the 10th Apostle Amrita was subjugated at the Cult’s Far Eastern Branch, and had introduced himself as the second.

Considering the immense presence he had felt then, he must be a super-powered combatant of the highest priority within the Cult.

If a monster capable of disrupting the balance of power just by existing had personally stepped forward, there’s no way it wouldn’t have considered the reactions and repercussions.

To the extent that even within Pandemonium, they were discussing and wary of his intentions, as they were now.

If so, what was the reason he, who was called the most perfect Apostle within the Cult, agitated Machina, even enduring such backlash?

After that, the meeting touched upon Machina’s Supreme Council factions and the subtly deteriorating war situation of the Alliance, before moving on to another topic.

“I mentioned Vulcan’s first Magic Tower the other day. I wonder if anyone remembers…”

Chebyen, the Doll Master, spoke, rattling his mannequin.

“A mad wizard in the mega-city has established a Magic Tower and started producing results. However, the repercussions are quite unusual…”

“You seem to be talking about the Universal Magic System.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man he hadn’t seen before opened his mouth.

At the words of the man who had listened to the meeting without saying a word until now, Hylaea looked back at him, surprised.

“Professor Raphael, do you know about Adamant Thunder?”

“Rather than knowing about Adamant Thunder… I know a researcher affiliated with that tower.”

The middle-aged man, called Raphael, hesitated before speaking.

“The Universal Magic System published by Evan Vylun has become the most sensitive topic in academia. Vulcan is now in an uproar for weeks due to the existence of the Universal Magic System.”

A professor affiliated with academia. And a person with deep knowledge in theoretical magic, at that.

As Lennok mentally noted the name, the Doctor spoke, as if something had just occurred to him.

“I met him just before his third paper was published. I had some questions about the Universal Magic System.”

“Th-that’s true!”

Raphael, his eyes wide, sprang to his feet and stared at the Doctor.

“W-what did he say about the Universal Magic System? Did he tell you why he published such a paper?”

“No, rather than being told… I confirmed a few things.”

The Doctor chuckled, wiggling the furball towards Raphael.

“It wasn’t a conversation significant enough to be shared here.”

“Th-that…”

Leaving a clearly disappointed Raphael, the Doctor casually changed the subject.

“However, the fact that Adamant Thunder and Evan Vylun made contact through the Magic Tower is quite interesting… As a result, by complementing each other’s lacking positions, an extraterritorial zone that even the City Council cannot easily touch has been born.”

“Oh, right.”

Freyja, who had been idly examining her nails with a bored expression after the Machina-related topic ended, suddenly spun her head around as if something had just occurred to her.

“Hey, Deadrise. Now that I think about it, you were talking about messing with Adamant Thunder’s Magic Tower the other day, weren’t you?”

“…”

“What was it again? Didn’t you say you’d send Peshia Grisbern to deal with it?”

Freyja, seeing Daymer’s silence, laughed loudly, as if she understood.

“Looking at how the Magic Tower is perfectly fine and even made an official announcement, it seems you failed. You guys are truly hilarious. How could you send even the Ghost Princess and get no results at all—”

“Peshia is dead.”

“…What?”

Freyja retorted, a bewildered look on her face.

Daymer replied with a subdued expression.

“After fighting Adamant Thunder one-on-one and losing, she simply lost contact. That was several months ago.”

“…”

“Honestly, the clash between the 4th Corps and Victor is not an immediate concern for headquarters. As General Song-ha returned safely, there’s no reason to discuss his critical condition.”

In the now silent meeting space, Daymer looked around and replied.

“What headquarters currently considers most dangerous is Adamant Thunder’s very actions. I participated in this meeting to inform you of this fact.”