Chapter 885: The Eyes That See Fate (21)
Fwoooosh!!!
A colossal stone wall dozens of meters high.
The outer wall of a dam, which should have been holding back a massive amount of water, was now neatly carved out in a perfect circle.
The cut surface blazed and boiled as if it had been vaporized upon contact with a giant sphere, and the materials, unable to withstand the heat, melted and flowed down like lava.
Chiiiiik!!
A grating noise as if the sky and earth were melting together. Acrid smoke billowed endlessly before their eyes.
Thump!!
From amidst the debris of the completely dried-up waterway, a wolf covered in soot revealed itself.
After glaring at the blazing ground with a murderous gaze, the wolf bared its teeth and suddenly roared.
“Dammit… Hey, Angel!!”
“I’m over here~”
Angel, whose lower body had melted and was flowing like water, waved his hand while dangling precariously near the top of the dam’s outer wall.
Next to him was Lauder, who was calmly adjusting his uniform.
As the two descended the dam’s outer ramp, they looked around at the boiling lava with horrified expressions.
“What about that damn wizard?!”
“He ran away long ago. What did you expect?”
Naturally, Lennok was long gone.
Slumping down weakly, Angel muttered as he gazed at the惨状 of the half-destroyed dam.
“It seems he had no intention of fighting us properly from the start.”
“My prediction was completely wrong.”
Lauder folded the scroll he was holding with a bitter smile.
“I thought that to obtain such mobility and martial prowess, he must have placed conditions and restraints like a Geas on his spellcraft. He seems to be a wizard of far greater caliber than I imagined.”
“This is all because you gave him an opening to react by blabbering on with your useless explanations.”
Meryllda, transformed into the shape of a massive fantastic beast, glared at Lauder while scraping the concrete with her claws.
“The Spell-Word that increases a spell’s power by explaining its principles. Did you really have to do that right in front of that wizard?”
As a curse user, Lauder was extremely adept at controlling the power of his spells by placing restrictions and bindings on them, a characteristic of his craft.
His direct statement about Lennok’s heat magic just before restraining him was also a means to increase the curse’s power through a type of Geas.
But Meryllda was pointing out that because of this, he had given Lennok an opening to counter.
“If I hadn’t amplified the curse’s power that much, I wouldn’t have been able to set the stage in the first place.”
Lauder replied calmly to Meryllda’s sharp criticism.
“Not just me, but many high-level casters utilize a certain level of Spell-Word as naturally as breathing. You must have seen Evan Martinez show a similar reaction, no?”
“…”
“The judgment that I needed to increase the spell’s power with this level of binding to be effective against the opponent is in the realm of intuition. How strongly a particular Geas will work varies from person to person, so it’s difficult to explain with logic.”
Lauder tapped his temple with his finger and said.
“However, if there’s one thing that bothers me, it’s that Martinez’s way of handling magic seemed incredibly accustomed to Geas.”
“Accustomed to Geas?”
“The compression and release, attenuation and amplification of spellcraft. He understands how to handle mana under specific conditions to make it powerful, and he uses it in various modified ways.”
Lauder muttered, lost in thought.
“But if his mana control were perfect, there would be no reason to use so many different conditions. Perhaps he’s in a situation where it’s difficult to control its power for some reason…”
“That’s ridiculous. You’re saying that monstrous sun-manifestation magic was the result of him having difficulty controlling his power?”
Meryllda grimaced in disbelief.
“That was one of the most intensely expansive amplification-type secret arts I’ve ever seen. If our judgment had been even a little slower, we would have all died.”
A mass of heat so immense it was hard to believe it was spewed out by a single wizard.
The unrealistic miracle of a human creating a sun and dropping it here.
If they had been any slower in gaining distance and fleeing, it was unlikely anyone gathered here would have survived unscathed.
To think that the wizard who used a technique of such power at the perfect moment to shatter the entire situation was, in fact, having trouble handling his own strength.
But no one here realized that his words had just brushed against a fragment of the truth.
Lauder, too, seemed unsure as he shrugged his shoulders.
Meryllda, having returned to her human form, looked at the incessantly ringing phone in her arms with a sour expression.
“The secretariat is being flooded with calls. I guess the other guys saw that miniature sun too.”
“They want the data.”
“At this point, even if we couldn’t stop him, didn’t we at least achieve the goal of exhausting him? Isn’t that fine?”
“What? Exhaust him?”
Meryllda scoffed as if it were ridiculous.
“You must not know anything about heat-based spellcraft. You think a flame caster of that level would be exhausted by a fight like this?”
“Meryllda. Weren’t you also not that knowledgeable yourself until you interfered in Deadrise’s operation last time?”
“Shut up!”
Meryllda rapped Angel’s head, which was as empty as ice, and said.
“The more a heat-type fights, the stronger they get. That’s the basics. The goal is to keep feeding the firewood to stoke the flames.”
“…”
“Considering the form of the mana core he used earlier, he probably plans to use all the battles happening in this city as a stepping stone.”
Meryllda’s expression, now back to a young girl’s appearance, was uncharacteristically grim.
“That bastard, he’s really planning to have a go at Adamant Thunder.”
“Hmm…”
Hearing that, Lauder glanced in the direction Lennok had disappeared.
A strange smile formed and vanished on his expressionless face in a matter of moments.
“That, in its own way, could be useful.”
“What?”
“If we can’t stop him anyway, shouldn’t we find a way to use him for our own purposes?”
The harbor located in District 47.
Having escaped in the gap created by the evaporated dam, he had drifted to a place that was, in its own way, familiar to Lennok.
Splash!!
Dragging his exhausted body, Lennok reached the vicinity of the harbor and quietly climbed onto the pier.
With a single gesture, he blew all the water off his body and walked calmly through the silent port.
Hiding himself among the stacked containers, Lennok leaned back in the driver’s seat of a forklift that had been stopped in the middle of loading cargo.
“Hoo…”
When was the last time he’d visited this area?
He had played a game against Peshia Grisbern, a Legion Commander of Deadrise, for the purpose of a gamble.
This was the first time he had set foot in this vicinity since then.
It was probably because District 47 itself was mostly developed as an environment for related businesses.
Lennok sank into thought, slowly patting his aching chest.
‘Now that I’ve activated the Crimson Star System, I need to use my time more sparingly.’
The Crimson Star System (赤色星界), an amplification-type secret art that shaped preheated flames into a mana core to increase a spell’s power.
Another possibility newly created by Lennok, combining his mastery of heat magic with the barrier techniques of the Jindun.
But at the point he activated the Crimson Star System, it was tantamount to giving up on controlling his magic’s power, which he had been barely maintaining until now.
‘It’s a radical activation method that pushes mana to its absolute limit to create an inflection point externally. Other than adjusting the number of cores, there is no limiter.’
Unless he borrowed a medium like a lighter or a flint, from now on, he could only use all his magic at near-maximum power.
It was a strange phenomenon that occurred because he had stabilized all the mana that had been fluctuating erratically between 1 and 100 by setting it all to 100.
‘First, I need to deal with the ones moving to secure Lapis…’
To operate as both Evan and Adamant Thunder within Vulcan, to resolve both the wanted order and Lapis’s ascension ritual simultaneously.
And a means to achieve his own goal of witnessing the qualification for ascension.
As Lennok continued to ponder this and was about to close his eyes for a moment.
Click.
“…”
He opened his eyes to the cold touch of a gun barrel against his temple.
Sometime, dozens of superhumans had surrounded the forklift where Lennok was sitting.
A menacing crowd stared intently at Lennok from all directions, not discriminating between container boxes, ships, and yachts.
“…I’ll ask first.”
Lennok slowly took a cigar from his coat and asked.
“What’s your affiliation?”
“You’ve got some nerve.”
A middle-aged man with a long mustache said with a sneer.
Carrying a long howitzer, he aimed it as if he would blow up Lennok along with the forklift at any moment.
“Does something like that matter when you’re being hunted like a pig being slaughtered all over the city?”
“It does.”
As Lennok nodded, someone among the people looking at each other spoke up.
“Blood-Rank Fleet. We’re merchants.”
“Human traffickers, I see.”
“…”
The atmosphere turned hostile at Lennok’s words, which struck right at the core.
Lennok looked around at the people and gave a grim smile.
“Seeing you gathered at the harbor, you probably use ships to move your stolen goods, and you must have joined hands with the navy, which is said to be even more corrupt than the defense forces. I haven’t heard your name, so are you a newly established organization?”
“What does an outsider like you know…!!”
“Ah, my apologies.”
Lennok raised a hand to stop him and laughed.
“I just felt a bit relieved, thinking that some kindling I can burn to my heart’s content has finally taken the bait.”
“What?”
Things had been delayed by unintentionally encountering acquaintances, but that was not the picture Lennok had painted.
The fundamental reason he had been roaming the outer districts, deliberately showing his face while under a wanted order.
Wasn’t it to ensure that everyone watching could clearly see the process of Evan Martinez growing stronger in this city?
The meaning of burning Vulcan was not some trivial story limited to structures or facilities, but a calculation that included the lives of those who targeted Lennok after hearing the wanted order.
And, in this city, human trash that could be burned without any hesitation was as plentiful as the stars in the night sky.
Like the human traffickers standing so brazenly before Lennok’s eyes right now.
Fwoosh!!
At that moment, the harbor sky brightened, then began to glow an endless red.
Everyone gathered here momentarily lifted their gaze to the strange phenomenon and never lowered it again.
Kugagagaga!!
A massive, blazing ship was falling from the sky, right on top of Lennok.
At the overwhelming sight, everyone froze, unable to say a word.
“I have a lot to do before I reach the Magic Tower.”
Lennok muttered, watching the radiance of the sun that was rapidly approaching the ground.
“I won’t be holding back on you.”
“Wh-what bullshit are you spouting-!!!”
“Are you planning to die here with us!!”
[Eighth Flame World]
[Hellfire Abyss]
KWAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Adamant Thunder’s Magic Tower in District 49.
In the tiered section where the business departments that had moved in for the item business were located.
A woman with ultramarine hair was bustling about.
“This item operates on a curious principle. A safety device that only activates after the power is turned off.”
Click.
“A magic flare with a built-in button… It would be convenient, but wouldn’t this make the catalytic reaction too slow?”
Woong!
“Ah, I’ve seen this in the Central region. I heard it’s an artifact that can compress volume, limited to pure water. It hasn’t been commercialized yet because they couldn’t solve the weight issue-”
“Um, Lady Lapis…”
Her attendants followed behind Lapis, who was looking around at the items with a fascinated expression, breaking out in a cold sweat.
One of the tower’s management staff, after exchanging glances with the others, spoke carefully to Lapis.
“The Tower Lord has permitted you to move freely, but touching the items being handled in the market is problematic.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, among the items prepared here, some are not entirely owned by the Magic Tower…”
“Hmm…”
Lapis tilted her head as if she didn’t like it, then smiled brightly.
“I don’t want to.”
“Pardon?”
“Adamant Thunder is the one who kidnapped me and locked me in this tower.”
“…”
“I don’t even know when I might die by his hand, so am I not even allowed to satisfy my curiosity?”
“That…”
While the attendants were stammering, unable to say anything, someone from behind grabbed Lapis by the collar and lifted her up.
“That’s enough.”
“Oh?”
A brawny physique with broad shoulders. On top of it, the mighty head of an eagle.
Felix stood there, holding Lapis by the scruff of her neck with one hand.
“These people know nothing about this matter. You won’t get anything out of harassing them like this.”
“I have no intention of criticizing them. Are you misunderstanding something?”
“Misunderstanding?”
The light in Felix’s eyes flashed intensely as he stared at Lapis.
“You mean how you were excitedly roaming all over the tower, trying to find weaknesses in the barrier?”
“…”
“Your past deeds in the Central region were too profound for you to be pretending to be a brat. Or perhaps it’s because of that, you’re able to imitate a naive child.”
“Did it look that way?”
Only after hearing Felix’s calm reprimand did Lapis’s expression slowly change.
Her cheerful atmosphere instantly subsided, and her face returned to being expressionless.
“That’s a shame. I was just trying not to cause any worry.”
“…”
“Sir Felix…”
“Go on ahead,” Felix said without looking back at the hesitant attendants.
“I will be watching the Lighthouse Keeper. I’ll call for you when it’s time.”
“You plan to lock me up in that underground cavern again.”
“Although we have Van’s word, we cannot permit you to enter all the secret places of the tower.”
As Lapis tilted her head and spoke, Felix nodded.
“Please stay in the designated place for about half a day, every day. I would like to ask for your understanding in this matter.”
“…”
Lapis stared at Felix with her sky-blue eyes without a word.
Her transparently shining eyes seemed as if they would pierce right through Felix’s inner thoughts at any moment.
But Felix did not avoid her gaze and met it calmly.
“You desire something,” Lapis asked.
“A wish not for yourself, but for others. Do you wish to borrow the power of my ability?”
Had she, in a brief moment, seen through the fact that he needed the Lighthouse Keeper’s Chogyeon ability to change the future of Antares?
This was surely proof that Lapis was the successor who had inherited the power and mission of the Lighthouse Keeper in the most legitimate way.
“…I do.”
Therefore, Felix didn’t try to hide or conceal it, but honestly affirmed it.
“But I have no intention of using it as a condition for a deal. In this matter, I intend to thoroughly follow Van’s decision.”
“…”
Bringing up the story of Antares was not Felix’s place right now.
At a point where he had not yet heard the full story from Van, he had to refrain from rashly interfering in Lapis’s decision-making.
If Lapis hadn’t brought it up first, Felix had no intention of saying a word about it.
“I’ve seen many people while walking around the tower,” Lapis said, gazing silently at Felix.
“Putting aside the standard of good and evil, various people were staying in this tower, getting along in their own way.”
Several days had already passed since she was trapped in the tower, and in that time, she had seen several of the tower’s personnel.
The people she met, including Jenny and Felix, did not seem like evil people at all.
On the contrary, their cheerful and boisterous behavior had a certain charm that even Lapis was drawn to.
But while they pitied Lapis’s situation, they all thoroughly followed the decisions of the wizard named Adamant Thunder.
Lapis wanted to know where the emotions and motivations arising from this disparity in their actions came from.
“Why does a warrior with such firm principles as you accompany that wizard?”
“An interesting question. Indeed, Van is by no means a good person.”
Felix laughed out loud at her words.
“In some ways, it’s true that he has a far more chilling aspect than the rumors suggest. But despite that, Van is still human.”
“Human, you say?”
“Even while challenging an impossible goal and trying to catch up to a heart he couldn’t reach… he still tries to share the same emotions as us.”
Felix’s expression momentarily turned wistful.
“Having once walked the great pilgrimage, I know. It is proof of an effort we common folk cannot even dream of—to not let go of his humanity even as he reaches for transcendence.”
“…”
Felix smiled at the silent Lapis.
“I believe that is what proves Van’s character. How could I abandon someone who tries so hard not to lose himself?”
Even after transcending his limits to become an 8th-level archmage, Van had not changed.
He did not change even after crossing the line between life and death hundreds of times, after returning alive from countless battlefields.
But Felix knew that the unchangeability he felt whenever he faced Van, that very sameness, was not something easily given.
He knew that Van was striving to remain as he was at the beginning.
Lapis, too, understood Felix’s words and let out a cold sigh.
“Can you be satisfied just by watching?”
“I haven’t thought about it that deeply. If I had to say…”
Felix gave a bitter smile.
“I believe in him.”
“…”
Even while reaching a hand towards the sky, his feet are striving to stay on the ground.
Because he knows that if he were to let himself go even a little, if he were to lose his balance and collapse even once, it would be irreversible.
And that mindset, of cherishing and protecting that value, is the essence of why Felix trusts and follows Van.
The process, not the result. The attempt, not the achievement. That disposition, humbly faced, was the strength he possessed from the very first moment they met.
“Was that a sufficient answer?”
“…No. I cannot empathize with a process that doesn’t shy away from any means.”
Lapis shook her head.
“I don’t wish for even this moment, where he has kidnapped me and forcibly restrained me, to be that man’s answer.”
“I understand.”
“However, I agree that even such a wizard should enjoy the time granted through this stay of destruction. Therefore…”
Lapis, obediently putting down the item she was holding, slowly stepped down in front of Felix and nodded.
“I’ll come again tomorrow.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Felix smiled and guided Lapis to the underground cavern.
As they walked down a ramp that had no stairs, Felix spoke.
“The Guardian Spirit Beast seems quite fond of you. It would be very happy if you spent time with it.”
“It’s too energetic. It’s hard to play with it for long.”
“That’s good. If we tire out the Lighthouse Keeper, she won’t have the leisure to think unnecessary thoughts.”
“Is it alright to say that in front of me?”
Lapis smiled wryly and looked back at Felix before the cavern door closed.
“Still, I hope I can hear it someday. What kind of strong wish a warrior who survived the pilgrimage would ask of another.”
“Those words alone are enough.”
Felix smiled and turned his back.
He closed the cavern door and contacted the attendants, asking them to stand guard in his place.
Thump!!
The wide obsidian cavern was illuminated by a soft light.
[Gyaoo~]
A pure white baby dragon that had been sprawled out, sleeping soundly, came rushing over as soon as it saw Lapis.
But the eyes of Lapis, who was stroking the spirit beast licking her hair, were, unlike before, calmly settled.
“…”
Lapis’s Chogyeon ability wasn’t a power that simply enhanced her own vision to transmit it to the past and future.
It was the power to turn any space, coordinate, concept, or object her gaze had once touched into a real ‘eye’.
It was a qualification that rightfully belonged to the Lighthouse Keeper, who used the Lighthouse as her eye to observe the Outer Sea.
And the reason she went out of her way to trouble the attendants and look around various places in the tower and meet various people was—
Chzz, chzzzik…!!
As she closed her eyes and focused her mind, another person’s gaze was projected beyond her eyelids.
Through the eyes of an attendant standing nervously at the back of a large hospital room, she looked at Jenny and the others standing in the center of the room.
At the center of the sickbed lay a man in a tattered wrestler’s mask, limp and unconscious.
“Jenny!”
The bird-headed giant burst through the hospital room door.
Felix, who had just taken Lapis to the underground cavern, had heard the news immediately and come to the room.
“Dylan collapsed and came back?!”
“Yes. It seems he went out on his own and clashed with the wizard named Evan.”
At that moment, hearing Jenny’s words, Lapis’s heart sank.
“Lapis.”
Hwook!!
In that instant, the darkness beyond the obsidian cavern split open, and a green light flashed.
Evelyn, holding her visor in one hand, walked out and brought a finger to her lips, whispering.
“Quiet for now. You’re listening, right?”