Chapter 953: The Prohibition (8)

Whoosh!

In a quiet forest, a chilly wind blew.

The woods were filled only with dry, cool air, utterly devoid of humidity.

Lennok pushed aside the falling leaves with his staff, walking alone through the vast forest.

“[Master.]”

Davi poked his head out from inside Lennok’s coat and grumbled.

“[No matter how I think about it, there’s no need to bring an organism that uses the Mystic Eye as a guide.]”

“Are you talking about Olivera?”

“[She’s an utterly unreliable organism. And her attitude, too.]”

Davi grumbled.

“[I don’t like how she puts on airs just because she’s lived a little longer.]”

“She’s certainly a very proud person. You’re right.”

Lennok chuckled.

“But if we’re to open a path to Kundara, it will be easiest to get Olivera herself to move.”

“[…….]”

“Just as with this recent deal, she’s someone who will always try to seize the initiative, knowing I have an interest in the Outer Tribulation City. It’d be better to just drag her directly to Kundara to avoid unnecessary delays.”

From the start, if Olivera hadn’t so strongly desired Anathema’s causality, she wouldn’t have even attempted such a demand.

Lennok, aware of this fact, wasn’t he trying to borrow her abilities precisely by directly controlling her whereabouts?

“The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye is one of the very few innate abilities capable of interfering with causality. It will undoubtedly prove useful in the city of the Long-lived Beings.”

Lennok said, pulling at Davi’s puffed-out cheeks.

“She said she needed time, so it’s not an immediate concern. Let’s handle what needs to be done first.”

“[I’ve already finished the scouting.]”

Davi whispered softly.

“[It’s right ahead. Can you hear it?]”

“…Yes.”

The sound of the wind rustling past his ears. The rustle of leaves in the forest.

But Lennok knew that amidst these natural sounds, there was a faint whirring of machinery.

Beneath what appeared to be ordinary tree trunks, gears rotated, and a quiet engine hummed beneath rocks.

The traces of highly advanced machinery, blending in seamlessly in the middle of the dry forest.

Shhhk!

With one hand, he swept away the curtain of noise obscuring his view, like tearing a cobweb.

The empty forest landscape warped, and a massive fortress wall, carved from ore, revealed itself.

A beautiful sight, built with enormous raw ore, the size of bedrock, carved directly to serve as the fortress’s cornerstone.

Through the fortress’s ceiling, windows, and vents, hot air and magical light streamed out regularly.

The unique landscape of an atelier, ceaselessly emitting steam and breathing like a colossal jewel furnace.

In front of this gem workshop, over a dozen people stood with guns.

“…”

Click!

A sleek musket, shaped as if carved from a jewel.

Their muzzles pointed skyward, the people blocking the path stood with stiff expressions.

They held glowing rifles, imbued with magic, but dared not aim them at Lennok, merely obstructing the entrance to the workshop.

From among those who strained to avoid Lennok’s gaze, a refined-looking middle-aged man stepped forward.

“The Meisters of the Arcane Workshop should dedicate themselves to honing their skills, apart from worldly affairs.”

The man, with neatly combed hair and a trimmed beard, spoke calmly.

“However, I, Elbato Duris, am not so blind as to fail to recognize Vulcan’s Grand Wizard.”

“…”

“Such profound power, capable of tearing through Hudderfield Forest’s barrier with bare hands. It’s my first time seeing your face, but it must be you.”

Elbato Duris, the Meister of the Duris Workshop, asked Lennok with a tense expression.

“May I ask why the Apostle-Slayer, who punished Anathema’s betrayal, has sought out our workshop?”

Though he didn’t reveal his face, Adamant Thunder’s actions and character were all too well-known.

A black coat and a silver staff.

The unbridled power that tore through the forest’s grand barrier, located where the workshop stood, as if it were wet paper.

It would be stranger not to notice, seeing the explosive surge of magical energy.

Therefore, Elbato Duris had no choice but to step forward himself, knowing he was no match.

Even with the help of the workshop’s security guards and guests, he couldn’t guarantee they could contend with this one wizard.

If he wanted something, they should give it to him and send him away; if he intended to kill, they should grab what they could and flee.

But Lennok offered no particular reply to Elbato’s words.

Leaning on his staff, he merely stared intently at Elbato’s bearded face.

“You resemble him.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Ignoring Elbato’s words, Lennok lightly raised a hand.

Startled by the gesture, the security guards flinched, moved to pull their triggers, then froze.

Above their heads, a colossal Giant of Black Calamity, bound by black chains, had appeared.

Groooowl…!!!

A menacing appearance, as if sculpted from condensed, pitch-black darkness.

With black chains clutched in its claw-like hands, it spread its arms wide.

“Ugh, ugh…”

“C-c-cough… ugh…”

At the sight of the Giant of Black Calamity appearing in the middle of the forest, the security guards, sensing their impending death, let out tearful groans.

All the security equipment and automated firing artifacts surrounding the entire workshop.

Even holding the heavy magic rifles crafted by the Meister, they couldn’t envision a future where they would survive.

Elbato’s face also turned pale the moment he saw the Giant of Black Calamity.

“Impossible. A trace of Gabihaeng’s…”

“You know about Myeong.”

Lennok’s eyes gleamed.

“Did he ever visit your workshop?”

“…Information about customers who use the workshop is an absolute taboo for a Meister to disclose.”

Under the terrifying pressure of the Giant of Black Calamity on his shoulders, Elbato stammered with difficulty.

“Especially in an Arcane Workshop that produces artifacts, never—”

“I’m not interested in a lecture on craftsmanship.”

Lennok said with an air of boredom.

“What kind of artifact did Myeong try to make at your workshop?”

The Duris Workshop was an Arcane Workshop that produced artifacts imbued with magic or spellcraft.

It was natural for the Meister himself to be an excellent wizard and a high-level superhuman, but it wasn’t the Meister who decided which abilities to embed in an artifact.

For a black wizard as powerful as Myeong, he would have personally chosen and specified which spellcraft or ability to include in the artifact’s creation.

“…”

But Elbato, ignoring Lennok’s question, kept his mouth shut.

Was he resolved to say nothing rather than lie?

Lennok, realizing his intention, chuckled and nodded.

“Good spirit.”

Crumble…!!

The Giant of Black Calamity slowly extended one arm towards Elbato and clenched its fist.

The moment Elbato tightly shut his eyes at the surging black magic radiating in the air.

Thud!!

A heavy thud echoed as something dropped in front of Elbato.

“…?”

What Elbato saw when he cautiously opened his eyes was a black coffin, tightly bound with black chains.

The Giant of Black Calamity held one end of the chain attached to the coffin, looking down at Elbato with an amused expression.

“This is…?”

“I recovered and interred it after the summit ended.”

Lennok nodded.

“There’s something I need to confirm with you about his death.”

“…The summit, you mean.”

“Go on, confirm it.”

Did something click in Elbato’s mind as soon as he heard Lennok’s words?

His face pale, Elbato approached the coffin and slowly looked inside.

“Ah, Father…!!”

He slumped to the ground as if his strength had left him.

“Meister Elbato!!”

“Meister, collect yourself!”

The security guards, startled, even dropped their guns and rushed to support Elbato.

“Meister Oshuto Duris died during the summit held in Etanoc, attacked by the Guido Cult.”

Lennok watched the bustling scene and nodded.

“You are his son, and the true owner of the Duris Workshop, correct?”

Tap!

Warm air rose from beyond the fireplace.

Lennok, who had been sitting in an armchair across a simple table, looked at Elbato, who couldn’t sit and was pacing nervously.

“Is that so…?”

Elbato, listening to Lennok’s words, muttered with a pale expression.

“Father… made a deal with the Cult for me…”

Lennok explained to Elbato the process and reason for Oshuto’s death.

How he sought out the Guido Cult to cure his son’s illness, and how the Priestess granted his wish.

And how, decades later, a new Priestess made them pay the price.

“Oshuto Duris had various factions as clients during his lifetime. Perhaps because of that, he was also acquainted with the Guido Cult’s Priestess.”

Having briefly explained the events, Lennok took out a cigarette and gestured towards the ashtray on the table.

“May I smoke?”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

Was the very act of asking for permission strange to him?

Lennok lit his cigarette, leaving Elbato, who awkwardly nodded, and spoke.

“He traded his own life and the lives of others to cure your illness, and the price was eventually paid.”

“…”

“However, regarding the manner of his death, there are parts I need to confirm…”

Lennok exhaled a puff of smoke and nodded.

“I just thought I should deliver his remains to you.”

Even if Oshuto Duris brought his death upon himself.

There were facts that could not be known without directly investigating exactly what kind of deal he made with the Guido Cult.

“…I was often sick when I was young. If I played outside even a little, I’d get a fever and rashes, and be bedridden for days.”

Elbato, sitting in the opposite chair, spoke quietly, his head bowed deeply.

“After I turned ten, my illness significantly improved, and I thought it had naturally gotten better with age… But it was Father’s doing, wasn’t it?”

“…”

“Father… always said he wouldn’t die peacefully.”

Elbato smiled sadly.

“As I got older, I knew he wasn’t joking, but I never imagined it would be like this… I didn’t know.”

“…”

For a while, Elbato stared at the fireplace light, his gaze lowered, then he patted his cheeks and looked up.

“I will personally seek out the other patients who were sacrificed due to my father’s mistake and atone for it my entire life. I am truly sorry.”

“You’re mistaken.”

Lennok replied, tilting his head back as he smoked.

“I didn’t come here to reprimand you or point out faults. Feel free to atone or take responsibility for that part as you wish.”

“…”

Oshuto Duris’s human sacrifice was the result of sacrificing other patients suffering from the same illness to cure his son.

However, what Elbato Duris, who benefited from this, could be held responsible for or atone for, was a question without a clear answer.

Ultimately, it was something he had to consider and decide for himself.

From the beginning, Lennok had visited the Duris Workshop not to determine right or wrong about the past events.

“What I want to know is what Oshuto Duris traded with the Guido Cult at that time to receive such a special privilege, enough to meet directly with the Priestess of that era.”

Lennok asked.

“If you fully inherited the workshop, then Oshuto Duris’s records of artifacts produced and client list should remain, right?”

“…That’s.”

Oshuto Duris not only enjoyed great privileges within the Guido Cult, enough to meet directly with Isel Naydree, but he was also treated so well that the Priestess granted his unreasonable wish to save his son.

Of course, he eventually paid the price, but the mere fact that Oshuto, who wasn’t even a Cult member, lived for decades was nothing short of a miracle.

So, perhaps the artifacts Oshuto Duris produced for the Guido Cult at that time were simply that important to them.

Lennok, having reached this conclusion, had come directly to the Duris Workshop to confirm his hypothesis.

“Are you still going to tell me you can’t reveal client information?”

“…”

After hesitating, Elbato tightly closed his eyes and stood up.

“In the workshop basement, there are ledgers my father left behind.”

“…”

“Checking the ledgers should tell you what my father traded with the Cult.”

Elbato opened the room door and turned back to Lennok.

“Please follow me. I’ll guide you.”

A quiet basement, shrouded in darkness.

Lennok and Elbato descended the gemstone staircase, which shimmered faintly even in the dark.

Elbato led the way, holding a small lantern, and Lennok followed, a cigarette in his mouth.

“The workshop’s facilities are remarkably lavish. How much money do you even have?”

“…When producing artifacts, we primarily handle various magic stones and raw ores.”

Elbato replied with an embarrassed expression.

“As we collected the leftover parts after processing and used them for decoration, they somehow became the workshop’s symbol.”

“…”

“I’ve been accused of being greedy for money often, but once the rumor spread, orders actually doubled…”

Workshops that produce artifacts inevitably use expensive materials and catalysts, and in return, the workshop itself becomes wealthy.

This also meant that a wealthy workshop would necessarily produce high-quality artifacts.

Suddenly, realizing this, Lennok pulled out a small Nyx Badge from his coat.

“Speaking of which, I heard this item was made in the Duris Workshop.”

“Ah, the Nyx Badge.”

Elbato’s eyes sparkled as he naturally took the badge.

“Let’s see… Judging by the finish of the decoration, it was made 18 years ago. Back then, it was popular to name artifacts after famous spirits.”

“…”

“The client was a dignified royal, appearing to be in their thirties. They needed something that could perfectly conceal the user’s presence, so I believe it was made to distort presence by adding a prism technique to shadowstone…”

“Yes, your memory is quite good.”

Lennok asked, as Elbato’s words flowed out like an answering machine.

“Didn’t you just say you absolutely never disclose client information?”

“…It’s rare to see artifacts made so long ago again, so I spoke a bit too much.”

Even Elbato himself seemed a little embarrassed by his words, quickening his pace.

“But even now, I’m proud to say it’s a very well-made artifact. The design might be a bit trendy, but as badges often do, it blends in seamlessly even in formal settings. A craftsman who makes artifacts must not only consider the artifact’s abilities but also delicately cater to the client’s affiliation and position…”

“But when I obtained this badge, its owner wasn’t the royal you mentioned.”

“Pardon?”

“It was a precious item obtained by Irina Pesfield, the leader of a relic exploration team, who had colluded with the Guido Cult.”

“…”

“The intention was good, but not all artifacts can remain in the hands of their original owners.”

Lennok chuckled as he took the badge back.

“Still, I see that you meticulously remember the artifacts you’ve personally crafted. Clients would surely trust you.”

To be able to recite information about an artifact just by briefly examining it, Lennok could guess Elbato’s usual attitude towards artifact production.

Elbato Duris’s talent was personally vouched for by his father, Oshuto himself, so there would be no flaws in his skill.

It was not at all strange, then, that the Duris Workshop had a three-year backlog of custom orders.

“Ahem, this way is the storage for old ledgers.”

Elbato cleared his throat, descended to the end of the stairs, and opened a small door directly behind him.

A dim corridor, faintly lit by a lantern, led to a quiet room filled with the scent of aged paper.

Elbato walked a few steps ahead of Lennok, beginning to rummage through the storage shelves lining both sides of the corridor.

“The front part of the storage holds the ledgers I’ve used, and the back is probably where my father left his ledgers.”

“You haven’t looked through them yourself, it seems?”

“Occasionally, when my father’s clients visit, I might glance at the ledgers. But the sheer volume is immense, so I haven’t checked them all myself.”

As he rustled his way to the back of the corridor, old accumulated dust flew up.

But Elbato, without a hint of displeasure, began to sift through the ledgers, almost buried in the piles of dust.

Elbato quickly checked dates, with dozens of thick books stacked around him.

“Let’s see. You said it happened when I was about ten, so chronologically, it should be around here…”

“The Duris Workshop’s transaction volume must have been enormous back then as well.”

“I don’t know well myself, but I heard that when he first opened the workshop, he accepted orders from every client at least once.”

Elbato, replying to Lennok’s words, suddenly wore a sorrowful expression.

“That’s probably why he was able to make a deal with the Guido Cult.”

“…”

“Ah, I found it.”

Thump!

Elbato, who had been flipping through the index at the front of a ledger with dates, pulled out a dark blue book from below.

An old ledger, compiling old transaction records into a single book.

Elbato traced his finger along the table of contents of the ledger, whose binding string was old and loose, then nodded and opened to a page.

“Page 55. Valley of Lament. That was the entrance to the Guido Cult’s main branch, wasn’t it?”

“…”

“This ledger should contain what artifacts my father produced and delivered to the Cult.”

Lennok asked, watching Elbato pull out the transaction record.

“Can you first tell me who was the person who brokered the deal between Oshuto Duris and the Cult?”

“Understood. The name of the client who ordered the equipment should definitely be—”

Suddenly, Elbato’s expression subtly changed.

“…It says Kaiser Bajour.”