Chapter 231
Kwaahhh!!
In the midst of plummeting from the rooftop of a building, McQueen activated his Domain, the White Mountain Temple.
The innovative Domain, Branch Point Observation originated from Lennok, meticulously crafted within the confines of the lofty mountain temple.
A novel technique unveiled through meticulous observation at a pivotal juncture, emerges from beneath the sea of clouds, engulfing McQueen entirely.
In that fleeting moment, Lennok's Domain fractures akin to a shattered glass window, giving way to the ascent of a colossal whale, soaring into the high mountain's sky.
The formidable firepower, capable of instantly incinerating a living being, contorts like a sentient entity, searing McQueen in its relentless grip. Undeterred, McQueen vigorously employs his original techniques amidst the onslaught. However, Lennok's miraculous creation of a new Domain within a Domain renders McQueen's resistance futile, rendering his power obsolete.
The momentarily restored youth in McQueen is gradually devoured and consumed by the undulating waves of the fiery onslaught. Amidst the white flames, a desperate scream pierces the air, echoing in the tumultuous battle.
"Aaaaahhhh!!!"
The white whale, emerging from Lennok's Domain, traverses the sky, emitting dazzling white brain lightning before dispersing into countless bolts beyond the blue expanse. Simultaneously, the snowy landscape and the lofty mountains crumble and vanish.
Upon the release of McQueen's Domain, Lennok, ejected as well, plummets helplessly towards the ground.
"......!!"
With trembling hands, he forms a seal and chants a levitation spell. Lennok, standing on shaky legs, cold sweat beading on his forehead, lowers his head to the ground.
Kwoong!
"Huuuh...!!"
The necessity to resort to a seal and chant for a levitation spell, a task that could have been effortlessly accomplished with a mere movement of mana, highlights the intensity of the battle between the two wizards.
Despite Lennok's confidence in victory, a bitter smile graces his lips.
'I was foolish...'
The truth in what he conveyed to McQueen echoes in Lennok's mind. Advancing his mental state to a future point, he observes and manifests miracles that defy belief, bringing parallel worlds into existence. The toll of realizing such concepts within his own mind weighs heavily on Lennok, as the cost of deploying his Domain skyrockets.
Doping his body with drugs and applying restrictions with Triggers, Lennok elevated the power of his techniques, deploying his Domain long after McQueen's. The act of explaining his Domain abilities directly to McQueen was a strategic move to apply various restrictions and enhance the manifestation ability of his techniques.
Lennok acknowledges the perilous nature of deploying the imagined Domain within his domain. Despite several moments when victory could have been secured without deploying his Domain, the act was driven by sheer arrogance.
[It was foolish.]
Davi, emerging from his embrace, perches on Lennok's head and remarks, [That wasn't even like you, Master.]
"I know, but..."
Regretless, Lennok sits down, gazing up at the sky.
The whale, a manifestation of hundreds of lightning bolts, had dissipated in the sky, and something that had withstood that formidable firepower was descending.
Kwoooooong!!
Crashing from hundreds of meters in the air onto the fractured road, it remained astonishingly alive and breathing.
"Huu, huuuuh...!!"
"......."
Its entire skin grotesquely reversed, dried blood adhering to its face, obscured its original form. Rendered incapable of proper speech due to burned vocal cords, Parden McQueen persisted in trying to rise and confront Lennok.
"I, k-know... Ahh!"
Even after losing all opportunities and prospects, what compelled him?
A past youth, forfeited honor, and a reluctance toward his remaining life.
And an obstinately intense hostility toward Lennok.
As an opponent obsessed with life, McQueen's tenacity allowed Lennok to truly test the Domain he had created.
Facing an unbelievable miracle and still struggling to survive, McQueen defied the ordinary sorcerer's loss of will upon Lennok's Domain deployment.
A kaleidoscope reflecting parallel worlds.
Observing a branching point, Lennok implemented it within the Domain, deploying a new Domain atop it.
Unnamed as of yet, but sufficient.
This process was essential for Lennok's ascent beyond his current state.
Exerting all his power and confirming his position.
Only by comprehending his capabilities could he establish a fitting goal.
A level 7 high-level sorcerer.
Despite his skills rusting and fading over the years, this opportunity allowed Lennok to collide with his full power, at least in his rationalization.
Lennok needed to justify this irrational decision to maintain the values he had upheld.
"Dangerous..."
This was distinct from previous encounters.
Lennok sensed a continuous transformation within himself.
Not an issue with his unparalleled talent, but as he ascended, the awareness of the perilous and lethal nature of his talent grew, prompting a shift in his values.
The self as a human and the self as a wizard.
To what extent could he confidently assert they were Lennok?
Did a definitive answer even exist?
Lennok remained uncertain.
Yet, in the end, even this contemplation was a luxury granted to the surviving victor.
With trembling legs, Lennok, recently risen, extracted Merilda's fang from his pocket, gripping it tightly.
He forcefully thrust the sharp tooth into McQueen's chest as the latter approached.
Puk!!
"......Ah."
McQueen, metamorphosed into a form no longer recognizable as human, displayed no reaction. Slowly lifting his gaze to the sky with a peeled face, he released a leisurely sigh before ceasing all movement.
Ironically, all the vital organs sustaining life within his body must have already been obliterated. The residual mana stemming from his tenacity toward life scattered, dissipating into the magic resistance contained within Merilda's fang.
The first president of Cartel and a foundational contributor who had stood alongside Olivera Ron Maze for the longest time—the figure who had reigned as a power in the underworld for decades now experienced his last moments in profound emptiness.
Only after confirming this did Lennok step back slowly.
Thud!
Lying down and gazing at the cloudless blue sky, Lennok gradually closed his eyes.
"I wish this was the end of everything..."
He had done everything within his power. What remained depended on the encounter between the chairman of Cartel and Jenny.
Although he had hoped for no such incident, just before entering McQueen's Domain, he detected the destruction of the barrier he had set in the bar. He could only hope that the measures he had taken would prove helpful.
Davi, perched on his chest, spoke.
[...I've contacted Dray Krimgal. He should find Master within 2 minutes.]
At Davi's cold response, Lennok chuckled.
"Thanks. Could you also pull out a cigarette from my pocket?"
[......]
Instead of replying, the fox spirit nibbled on Lennok's hair with its crackling tail. All Lennok could do was inhale the burning scent and offer a wry smile.
* * *
[It seems to be over.]
Olivera chuckled leisurely, lifting her body from its lean against the bar. Jenny's anxious gaze followed her.
[Your business partner seems to have won.]
"Then...!"
[I have lost a friend of several decades.]
Jenny, who had brightened at Olivera's words, closed her mouth tightly. Olivera gazed down at Jenny's face with a faint smile.
Her Mystic eyes, holding seven different gleams, slowly turned towards Jenny. An ordinary person might succumb instantly to the information overload just by making eye contact. However, though her complexion turned pale, Jenny met her gaze directly. The staff with wings in her hand shielded her momentarily from the power of the Mystic eye.
Olivera didn't comprehend much about the compassion of the archangel, but she could roughly surmise the precious value of that relic.
[To lend you such an artifact before the showdown with Parden... it shows how much Van values you.]
"...Because we're partners."
[Well, if you think so, that's fine. What's important isn't such superficial relationships.]
"..."
[The important thing is what legacy Kaiser left for you.]
At her words, Jenny responded with a tense expression.
"I have already told you about that part."
[Well, I'm not trying to press you. I was just curious.]
"Excuse me?"
[I wondered how much weight was in the decision Kaiser made 50 years ago. Did you really know everything when he made that choice?]
"..."
[I hoped to resolve a long-standing curiosity... but it seems I still cannot know. However, today was filled with quite enjoyable events.]
Saying this, she slowly turned her gaze towards a doll hanging next to the bar. Despite its somewhat clumsy craftsmanship, the doll looked quite familiar to her.
Her eyes, reminiscent of the past, narrowed slightly.
[I wondered where you were, roaming the continent with that long lifespan of yours?]
"...I don't understand what you mean."
If she didn't understand, then that was that.
It appeared Jenny did not know who made the doll.
Then, was that dark-skinned sorcerer directly related to that wizard?
How interesting.
A wizard, barely over two years in this field, was involved with such diverse individuals and secrets.
Olivera didn't believe it was mere coincidence.
Even ordinary coincidences, when leading to outstanding outcomes, become inevitabilities.
Everything happening in this district was proof of that.
[Agents, the chaotic marketplace, the Trident faction, and the office... I would love to continue watching where all this goes, but this is where I stop.]
Olivera gave Jenny an elegant nod and slowly turned her back.
[If there's another chance, let's meet again on a different stage. Kaiser's child.]
Whoosh-!!
With that, her slender figure disappeared from the pub as if it had been extinguished.
Shaking off Jenny's anxious gaze, Olivera reappeared on the rooftop of a building several kilometers away, looking quietly down at the ground.
In a secluded alley in her view, a fierce fight was in full swing.
Perhaps a dispute over dividing money after some misdeed?
Gunfire erupted, bodies piled up, and blood was scattered everywhere.
She observed the trivial scene for a while.
Even after more than 50 years in Vulcan, this chaotic city hadn't changed much.
The ugly aspects of the city she once found tiresome now felt oddly familiar.
Holding down her fluttering long coat in the strong wind, she murmured as she observed the ground for a long time.
[Life is full of surprises. To think I would see you take action personally.]
"Did you enjoy your excursion enough?"
A tall man with loosely brushed long hair.
A disheveled suit and a tied coat. Antares, nonchalantly appearing behind her, had his hands in his pockets.
Olivera looked at Antares and smiled slightly.
[So worried about that child, aren't you?]
"..."
[Do not be concerned. I did not take any action; the wizard had already handled everything.]
Despite her playful remarks, Antares replied with composure.
"I'm not really worried... but I made a promise with that friend."
[...]
"Having had your fun, it's about time you return. I understand your 'research' isn't finished yet."
As soon as he mentioned it, seven distinct glimmers flickered and rotated in her eyes, but Antares met her gaze impassively.
"Isn't it difficult for you to be away from your place for too long?"
[Heh... you really know everything. Such an insolent fellow.]
A formidable pressure emanated from her eyes, bearing down on Antares.
Antares remained silent, simply awaiting her response.
[I never thought you, who usually remain so elusive, would show yourself for such a matter... What exactly did you see in that wizard that made you so anxious?]
"..."
[For a rare outing, it was quite fulfilling. It was enjoyable, thanks to you.]
Olivera uttered this and slowly raised a hand to cover her eyes.
By the time Antares looked up to assess her appearance, her overwhelming presence had already disappeared.
It was the skill of a high-level sorcerer who had consolidated all her spells through the Mystic eye.
A teleportation spell that altered the point of view, manipulating and connecting the very space she occupied.
Though decades had passed since he last saw her, her abilities had not waned.
This was evidence that, even while biding her time, she had not ceased her preparations for a moment.
Antares, with his hands in his coat pockets, murmured contemplatively.
"The last time I checked, she had reached the end of the hierarchy..."
A 7th-level Archmage.
The title of 'Archmage' denoting mastery of all seven hierarchies defining spells.
The Archmage realm signifies the pinnacle of human talent and effort.
Advancing beyond this point essentially requires forsaking one's humanity, as it is unattainable otherwise.
To what extent had Olivera Ron Maze abandoned her humanity to ascend further?
Was she now at the 8th level of the hierarchy?
It remained unknown.
Thus concluded the reunion of the two after decades.
Their desires and aspirations diverged, yet their paths continued to intersect somewhere in the trajectory of time.
However, it might not be long before their paths intersect once again.
Everything is in flux.
The leaders of the Trident faction, long confined, would soon feel the winds of change.
Antares' silhouette, gazing at the sunset sky, seamlessly blended into the breeze and vanished.
(To be Continued)