Chapter 248

At that moment, Lennok, realizing his true purpose, gazed up at him with a skeptical expression.

"Are you out of your mind? Planning to steal the embers from the furnace?"

"No, I have prepared everything for this moment." Geonis asserted firmly.

"All the facilities equipped near the furnace are made to control and manipulate the furnace's firepower. In short, if it's possible to keep just one spark alive and transport it, that's enough."

He spoke with unwavering conviction. There was no room for changing his mind now.

Sensing the foreboding undertone in his words, Lennok slowly rose to his feet.

"So, there was a separate reason you left the furnace maintenance to Mauser. Pretending to be generous while planning to use the hands of a craftsman?"

If Mauser, who displayed a deep interest in the furnace to the point of entering the control room, were to witness any unusual occurrences involving the furnace, the likelihood of his intervention would be quite high.

If the decision to leave Mauser undisturbed was also part of the preparation for this moment, everything began to fall into place.

"After somewhat damaging the furnace's function, I've disconnected the internal equipment enough to make transport possible. If Mauser just seals the broken part, then we can perfectly extract only the essence of the furnace and escape."

Geonis's words, initially appearing as a ruse during the furnace incident, might have served as a means to assess Lennok's abilities while detaching a portion of the furnace's ember for transport.

However, the specific details of that incident were presently of little importance.

Geonis offered a faint smile to the silent Lennok.

"Do you guess why I'm telling you all this in such detail?"

"You want my cooperation."

"Yes. I've been observing your abilities. Even in such unfavorable conditions, a mage who can use ice magic of that level would be helpful in transporting the furnace."

Geonis, who had marveled at the skill learned from [Ice Magic Easy for Beginners] would probably wear an astonished expression if he knew.

Suddenly, Lennok was overcome by an inexplicable urge but swiftly shook his head.

His response had been determined even before hearing the proposal.

"I'll be honest. I'm not saying I don't understand your feelings."

Who could fathom the emotions of someone who, betrayed by a trusted mentor, had been reduced to a mere guardian of the tower?

Lennok comprehended why Geonis Verbane had gone to such great lengths.

Perhaps this was also a future that Lennok could have encountered.

Knowing that he might have withered away in some obscure tower as someone's experimental subject or plaything.

He still recalled what Grisha had once uttered.

All those entangled with Pandemonium ultimately end up either opposing or aligning with them.

That's the nature of this pandemonium, and why they are so formidable and fearsome.

Their knowledge and power can exploit the frailties of the human heart so impeccably, as was evident before Lennok's eyes.

"But I don't want to help you. You've gone too far in joining hands with Pandemonium... No one will be able to escape the responsibility for this."

The Elder Council members, the missing wizards from the tower, the Machine City's emissaries, and those who perished in the furnace accident were all factors weighing on Lennok's mind.

He didn't want to align with the tower, yet he was equally reluctant to assist Geonis.

After all, who could assure Lennok that he wouldn't meet the same fate as those before him, sacrificed by Geonis?

Geonis remained silent.

"It seems you didn't quite understand what I said."

After a prolonged pause, he drew in a slow breath and spoke.

"Do you think there's a reason to keep you alive if it's not for that?"

With those words, flames erupted from beneath Lennok's feet, engulfing him.

Whoosh!

It was an unwavering move, but Geonis's expression remained untroubled.

Since the moment Lennok had arrived at this place, he had no other choice.

Geonis had sought Lennok's cooperation purely due to his perception of Lennok as a skilled ice mage, even after discovering his true identity.

For Geonis, who hesitated at nothing, even unrelated individuals were not spared from his decisions.

Whoosh!

"It's you who didn't understand my answer."

Lennok emerged from the pillar of flames, casually shaking off the heat, and smiled.

"Such conditions can't even buy one of my legs."

Immediately afterward, Lennok's shotgun discharged.

It struck Geonis's left shoulder squarely, creating a circular shockwave that shattered the tower's thick walls.

Boom!

Geonis stepped forward, blocking the impact with flames drawn from the ground.

"I'm curious if you can still talk like that after I've crushed both your legs!"

The two mages simultaneously channeled their manas and gestured with their hands.

[Chain Lightning]

[9-Sequential White Thunder]

[Explosive Flame Sphere]

[Blood Flame Line]

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Red and blue energies intertwined dozens of times in an instant, tearing through the tower's floor.

The remnants of the walls, severed and shattered by the intense firepower, crumbled like grains of sand, explosively breaching nearby corridors.

Lennok's hurled lightning sphere exploded in mid-air, creating a dazzling burst of light.

Geonis's descending flame disc expanded endlessly, transforming the surroundings into a sea of fire.

In the brief exchange between the two wizards, the magical energies they harnessed resulted in more than ten interactions, blooming a purple flower in the air.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

In the midst of such intense flashes that hindered visibility.

However, Lennok didn't miss the moment when Geonis's expression subtly contorted.

Having gauged Lennok's combat abilities and cunning from their previous duel, Geonis initially had doubts.

But as he quickly lost the upper hand in a battle where both sides unleashed their full might, his uncertainty solidified, causing him to falter in this confrontation.

Conversely, Lennok held a faint admiration for Geonis's initial response.

'It seems his experience in the central frontlines was not a mere rumor.'

As Lennok tapped into his mana, he released it indiscriminately in all directions, intentionally shattering the research wing's floor and expanding the battleground to the meeting room.

While it may appear to be a wasteful use of mana at first glance, Lennok surmised that it was Geonis's way of trying to seize the initiative in the initial exchange.

A clear indication that he recognized wizard battles as a contest of dominance, combining offense and strategy.

Even as Lennok swiftly concluded his initial offensive, the battle raged on.

Unlike Lennok, who remained relatively stationary, Geonis was already sprinting through corridors on both legs, increasing the distance between them.

Simultaneously, he trailed his fingers along the floor, weaving potent magic with the flowing magical energy.

[Red Phantom Army]

Boom!

In the middle of the corridor, a crimson rift appeared following the elongated magical trail on the floor. From within, soldiers emerged, their bodies enveloped in flames.

Lennok couldn't help but grin at the sight of this distinctive summoning magic.

"Ho."

Rather than engaging in a straightforward exchange of firepower, he contemplated altering the battlefield's dynamics by summoning the vanguard.

Putting aside his mage's pride, he was fully prepared to engage in combat within his area of expertise.

This pragmatic combat style was unexpected from a mage of the Blaiver Tower, renowned for its rich history of unique magic. He fought in a manner no different from wizards raised on the battlefields of the secular world.

In some respects, he was indeed a sorcerer remarkably similar to Lennok.

"Charge!!"

A succession of figures swiftly filled the expansive corridor, advancing towards Lennok.

Geonis manipulated them with chaotic precision, directing them in a disorderly charge toward Lennok.

[Roar!!!]

They hurled their fiery bodies at Lennok, initiating a close-quarters confrontation.

The scorching heat not only repelled the flames but also consumed the corridor's oxygen, making breathing difficult.

Lennok smirked and slammed his foot down.

Boom!!

[Sinkhole]

In that instant, the corridor floor gave way, creating a massive chasm, causing the charging soldiers to tumble helplessly to the lower level.

"......!!"

Geonis, who had been in the midst of casting a spell behind the soldiers, flinched.

The Tower's infrastructure typically utilized materials to block magical interference, preventing disruptions from magic spells. While structural damage from excessive impact was unavoidable, intentionally altering the tower's structure was strictly prohibited.

Yet Lennok casually created a chasm, swiftly clearing the corridor and creating space between them.

Had he shattered the floor through impact, the exploding soldiers' bodies would have filled the corridor with a torrent of flames instantaneously.

Did this wizard carefully consider all this and intentionally create a pit in the lower section of the corridor?

His internal debate lasted only a moment.

Hesitating for even a moment meant surrendering the initiative.

Setting aside his specific reservations, he completed the spell he had been chanting, and a distinct red glow started to manifest in his hand.

Emission and Manifestation of Pyrokinetic Unique Magical Property

[Red Connection]

Boom!!!

A crimson flash erupted from Geonis's hand, violently spinning in place.

Five streams of pyrokinetic energy whirled in different directions, emanating intense heat and exploding in all directions.

The sharp crimson beams, emanating from the red sphere, revolved in place, slicing through everything at eye level.

The impact proved too much for the tower's lower levels, causing them to collapse entirely.

Boom!!

'Is he opting for a firepower battle rather than competing in the sophistication of magical duels?'

Instead of being thrown off balance by the unexpected power, Lennok, using his mana to cling to the walls, muttered to himself as he made his escape from the tower.

The magic Geonis had just employed had the potential to wreak havoc on the entire surroundings if mishandled.

Strictly speaking, it was a wide-range firepower dispersal spell, akin in principle to Lennok's unique transmutation magic, [Extreme Combustion], which he had used in his climactic battle against the dark mage, Craig Tillion.

Even if Geonis intended to eliminate Lennok, he must have been aware of the implications of unleashing such a spell within the tower, a structure composed of layer upon layer of buildings.

The repercussions extending to Evelyn outside the tower wouldn't come as a surprise.

If Evelyn rushed to aid Lennok now, their entire plan to pilfer the furnace would be rendered futile.

Yet Geonis appeared unperturbed by these potential consequences, continually unleashing potent spells.

"No hiding your intentions then. Was this the plan from the start?"

"Neutralizing the Elder Council was only a matter of time." he responded, swiftly forming hand signs.

"Even if the tower's branches don't interfere with each other, a problem arises if regular reports cease. I did keep those old fools' consciousness intact until the last moment to avert suspicion... but that's over now."

"......."

"From now on, I have no choice but to use all the cards I've kept hidden."

The members of the Elder Council were all level 6 or higher military wizards, seasoned veterans with decades of experience managing the tower.

One need not speculate on the cunning and meticulousness Geonis had employed to capture the consciousness of such experienced wizards, leaving them barely alive.

What's even more remarkable was his resolve to discard the fruits of such a meticulously constructed plan without hesitation.

'A dangerous man.'

He was an adversary who unswervingly prioritized his objectives, willingly forsaking processes for higher priorities.

Ready to abandon anything for the sole purpose of pilfering and escaping with the furnace.

If he determined that killing Lennok held greater importance than stealing the furnace, he wouldn't hesitate to employ the furnace itself as bait.

Acknowledging this, Lennok couldn't fully commit to the ongoing battle.

'I need Evelyn's opinion before making a decision...'

Lennok was involved in this situation solely due to his interest in the Blaiver Tower and his agreement with Evelyn.

The responsibility for handling all of this lay with Evelyn Marcia, not him.

Protecting the furnace and Mauser, rescuing the incapacitated Elder Council members, and eliminating Geonis here.

What should take precedence?

Unlike Lennok, the opposing side had long ago completed their calculations.

Furthermore, Lennok's current condition was not at a level to guarantee victory against Geonis.

Comparing Geonis, who had gained battlefield experience, to McQueen, who was undeniably on a decline among level 7 Holy mages, was an absurd notion.

Considering Geonis's confident demeanor, it was evident that he had some concealed strategies—

"I won't let you escape. I thought I made that clear."

While Lennok delved into contemplation, Geonis sported a knowing grin as if he could read his thoughts.

"It wasn't me who devoured the Elder Council members."

As Geonis cruelly smiled, the tower behind Lennok crumbled, and a brilliant white flash pierced through.

Boom!

Rising from the debris was a colossal figure with a luxuriant mane and gleaming teeth.

The menacing beast's fierce eyes locked onto the mage with pinpoint accuracy.

"Kahahaha!!!"

A behemoth standing over 3 meters tall, wielding a colossal double-edged axe, a fusion of bestial physique and human technique, swung at Lennok's position.

Boom!

A tremendous shockwave emanated, scattering the lightning in the vicinity.

A ferocious gust surged from behind Lennok, slicing through the stone slabs.

In an instant, Lennok, who had deflected the White Lion's ax with hastily conjured shields and bound it with a column of frigid ice, muttered.

"Serial killer, man-eating lion... Yes, if a member of Pandemonium were hiding here, it would likely be him."

The magical power radiating from the White Lion's entire body was scorching.

The mana, suffused with the scent of charred flesh amid its lush mane, bore witness to the number of individuals it had devoured.

"Have you been gaining strength by devouring the Elder Council members and others?"

"What's it to you, brat?"

The White Lion growled, tugging at the thick ice chains restraining his ax.

Blood not his own dripped from his mouth, his warm breath brushing against Lennok's cheek.

"I've heard a lot about you too. The brat basking in the attention of Fame, huh?"

"......."

"Let's see how green you are, getting so cocky so soon, you swine!!!"

With those words, the White Lion kicked up its hind legs, kicking Lennok with formidable force.