Chapter 547 – Venting (1)
Verden's method of dismantling magic circles was the rupture of formulas through threads of magic power.
Like wandering through a labyrinth, he would infiltrate the seams of the formula with threads of magic power, discern the structure, then sever multiple pivotal nodes, thus depriving the magic circle of its function.
Simple, yet complicated and dangerous.
If his magic power even brushed against the wrong spot, the circle would activate instantly, or else become impossible to dismantle.
That was why not a single mistake was ever allowed──a magical technique of the highest difficulty, one the frail magician who had once been endlessly weak had to perfect, to survive and exact his revenge.
The Verden who had reached Transcendence added a second Mado on top of it.
Kugugugugugugu...!!!
Threads of dark crimson magic power pierced the magic circle enclosing the unofficial laboratory like bolts of lightning.
'No need to restrain it.'
Everything they touched was being destroyed before it even had the chance to activate.
In no time, merciless ruin devoured every last component inside the magic circle, including all eleven pivotal nodes.
Jjejejejejejek.
Balrog's innate magic circle collapsed. As the magic stored within dispersed in every direction, the whole area quaked.
An artificial structure within natural terrain.
The hidden entrance of the rocky mountain finally revealed itself.
[...Scan complete. The entrance splits into two halves, left and right, with the central passage sealed. Level: extremely high. Estimated time to fully interpret: approximately 13 hours, 38 minutes, 57 seconds.]
"Takes quite a while."
Verden lightly spun [Interis] in his palm. The manifested Mado formed a dark crimson spearhead.
"Then, I'll just have to break through."
Kwaarrrrng───!
A bolt of ruin fell vertically along the staff, severing space itself. The seal wedged in the entrance split cleanly in two.
Kuung.
He forced the door open roughly.
His gaze lowered.
A dimly lit underground staircase reflected in his eyes. Willingly, he hurled himself into that faint darkness.
"..."
It was his first time entering an unofficial laboratory not cunningly concealed in the middle layers of the Bohemirn magic tower.
Yet, it was not unfamiliar.
Perhaps because Balrog's hand had touched this place, the artificial constructs here resembled places etched in his memory.
An unpleasant déjà vu.
Verden descended the last step.
'From the surface to here, about eight floors deep by tower standards.'
At the bottom stretched a wide, immaculate corridor leading straight ahead. He descended along the sloping incline at its end.
Stepping onto the level floor once more, he arrived at a vast chamber, filled with all manner of magical components.
'Judging by scale alone, this seems like the main research lab.'
In a typical magical facility, the central hub would be buried deeper for strict security.
Here, it was closer to the entrance.
Balrog's innate magic circle protected the entire unofficial laboratory, thus concluding that external intrusion was impossible.
By minimizing internal security, they had maximized structural efficiency.
Alpha, still perched on his nape, looked around curiously.
[If this is the main research lab, then logically, the most personnel should be here. But it is empty. Curious.]
"Indeed, strange, given that all presences are detected further below."
And even then, they were few in number.
There must be a special reason, though that in itself posed no disruption to the plan.
For the simple fact that among them... was clearly included 'a familiar presence', enough reason on its own.
Verden walked slowly, surveying the surroundings. Meanwhile, Alpha focused its mini-golem functions on recording.
Blue eyes swept over the chamber.
'Alchemy materials, magical artifacts, tomes, even the contents glimpsed in the experimental records. All of it is related to the mind.'
Wait.
Could this be where Adrian and his master had been experimented on?
It was possible.
The experiments inflicted on Adrian had involved linking two Coercions, to devour a shattered mind and implant brainwashing.
The relevance was undeniable.
Enhancing his vision, the scenery overlapped with the description Adrian had once given of the unofficial laboratory.
Turbuk.
At that moment, Verden halted his steps.
Before him was a circular chamber.
Inside, submerged in transparent fluid, was a person... no, not a person, but a corpse.
[Unknown fluid is assumed to be used for preservation of organic matter.]
The corpse, eyes closed in silence, was not that old.
At most, mid-twenties.
Not much different from Verden, who had just turned twenty-eight with the new year.
'Outwardly intact, but the inside is in ruins.'
It seemed the brain had failed to withstand the magical shock inflicted, the direct cause of death. The end of an unofficial test subject who could not escape.
Verden gazed at the young mage's corpse for a while.
Kiiiiiiiiing.
Nearby, a high-speed mana lift activated. Multiple presences were ascending toward the main research lab.
Silence.
The lift slowed, then arrived at the floor.
***
Kiiing.
As the high-speed mana lift opened, three mages, a mix of men and women, stepped lightly into the main research lab.
Exchanging casual conversation.
The female mage, wrinkles at her lips, glanced over some experimental notes in her hand and smacked her lips.
"Hmm, we started trying out that 'enhancement' experiment from over there, and it's progressing faster than expected. Judging from the trend, we might be a little short on high-grade magic stones."
"Even after injecting a magic power capacity exceeding the upper range of the sixth tier, the mana circuits of 'Subject 108' didn't collapse? Hoho, remarkable. Who would have thought organ transplantation could yield results this great. Far beyond expectations, isn't it?"
"Indeed. If we speak purely of possibilities, there is no limit, so there's no disputing that. Now I finally understand why the tower master allied with external forces."
At the words of the bespectacled man, the gravelly-voiced old man nodded.
"Of course. It was a decision made by one who values Bohemirn Tower above all else, naturally it must be right, eh?"
"But Gluttony... yes, that's what the transplantee was called. Honestly, its appearance and mentality are utterly repulsive. More like an abnormal species than human. How can that thing be classified as the same as us?"
The man agreed.
"I concur with the disgust, but still, the profits from this deal are immense. Worth turning a blind eye. By the way, the 'Thought-Bias' research was finished long ago. When will we be permitted to begin something new?"
"Patience, patience. The situation is what it is. Once the tower master concludes the Transcendent Council and returns from the Magocracy of Arkenad, roles will naturally be assigned."
"Heh, already so eager for new research? I suppose internal work suits you. Usually it takes time to adapt to unofficial labs. But."
Tuk.
The woman tossed crumpled papers onto an empty desk, then perched on a chair.
"First, we have to clean up after the Thought-Bias research. Elder Hiram said it was a nuisance and must be cleared away immediately."
"What? With most staff dispatched to the tower, with just those present here? That's... Then what about 'Subject 70'? It's beyond our control."
"70 is on hold. Because of the prohibition, Coercion-based brainwashing is deemed ineffective. The plan is to dispose of it later, like Subject 89."
The old man stroked his chin.
"89... the Heavenly Sword, yes. Indeed, the feats he showed in Midros territory were extraordinary."
Last year, Bohemirn Tower had devoted all its strength to the magic war against Black Hour, leaving most branches on other continents unguarded.
Midros territory as well.
Seizing the chance, the Volcano Island Tower and Larrian Tower had secretly struck, seeking to erase Bohemirn's influence.
In response, Bohemirn Tower had dispatched Subject 89, a brainwashed husk no longer useful, to carry out a covert assassination.
As a result, the lord of the territory was slain, and both rival branches were annihilated.
Afterward, Subject 89 obeyed its implanted command and ended its own life, leaving no trace.
A perfect vengeance that left Bohemirn Tower completely unexposed.
"I see. Hm, I wonder what the tower master and elders plan to use Subject 70 for. Even if excommunicated, he was once the disciple of a Transcendent."
"That's none of our concern, so don't pry. Let's start cleaning up. Make sure to dispose of that corpse in the other chamber."
"Me? That should be your... Yes, I'll take care of it."
The idle chatter ended there.
The three mages roughly divided the work area and began to scatter.
Just then.
An unfamiliar voice pierced their ears.
"What makes you any different?"
…?!
Startled by the sudden voice, they all turned their heads to the right.
Before the chamber where the no-longer-needed corpse was stored, stood a figure clad in a jet-black robe, a radiant staff in hand.
The old man blinked and opened his mouth.
"Who… are you…"
"I asked what makes you any different from Gluttony, who calls humans the old species and treats them as material, and from you, who trample upon human dignity for the sake of magic."
Verden placed his hand on the chamber.
"To me, there's no difference."
Black flames ignited, silently engulfing the object they touched. The test subject, who had died with a shattered mind, was granted quiet rest.
After offering a makeshift funeral to the nameless mage, Verden began to walk.
Slow.
Slow, yet fast.
The closer the distance, the stronger the indescribable pressure became. At least, to the three internal mages, that was how it felt.
Their minds tangled with conflicting thoughts.
Instinct whispered "enemy", while reason suggested he might be a senior figure of the tower.
Of course, was it not so?
Within this place, safeguarded by a supreme magic circle enduring for decades, intrusion should have been impossible.
'Yes, if we don't recognize him, then he must be someone sent directly by the tower master.'
The man, convinced of his own deduction, pushed up his slightly askew glasses.
He smiled.
Of course, he did not forget to bow deeply in respect.
"My apologies, we failed to recognize one sent by the tower ma───"
Thuuuuud!!
Interis surged diagonally, slamming into his torso with immense force. His entire body shattered, death instant, his remains flung elsewhere.
Blood, still warm, spattered across the faces of the woman and the old man, who froze stiff.
"Subject 108, injected with excessive magic power. Subject 70, disciple of a Transcendent, now excommunicated. Enhancement experiments. Thought-Bias research. Quite the interesting things you were babbling about."
Verden faced the two survivors.
"Are all of these matters personally overseen by Elder Hiram?"
His gaze, his voice.
Not a question, a command. An irresistible demand.
The woman's lips trembled.
"Y-yes, that's right."
"Then your information is unnecessary."
Because he could ask Hiram directly.
A torrent of ruin instantly engulfed the two internal mages, becoming a vast maelstrom that spread in every direction.
Kwaaaaaarararara!
The main research lab was obliterated.
***
At the lowest level of the external unofficial laboratory, two figures faced each other with Subject 108 between them.
Elder Hiram of the Bohemirn Tower's Council of Elders, belonging to Itium.
And Gluttony's implant, Kullus.
The former was a renowned mage in every sense, but the latter was hardly mage-like.
Though his body brimmed with tremendous magic power, he had three hearts, a chest thick as armor, an eye set in his forehead, and four arms.
His appearance was far beyond any reasonable standard for a mage.
"…I'll repeat it once more. What Bohemirn Tower wants from Gluttony is only one thing, the method of creating the 'Red Fragment' embedded in your body."
"Impossible."
Kullus firmly rejected Hiram's offer.
"Only the Fangs of Gluttony preside over the matter of the Red Fragment. It is the essence of life they have wrought. It cannot be given."
"Then I asked, what do you desire in return?"
"I will not say. For it is something you do not possess. This is the answer left by the Fangs of Gluttony."
Kullus often stepped back, leaving only the faintest room for negotiation. Hiram feigned calm, but ground his teeth inwardly.
'He was cooperative not long ago… to suddenly change his stance now. I don't know the cause, but this is troublesome.'
Without uncovering the structure of the Red Fragment, they could not bring the enhancement experiments to success.
That was the current assessment.
By any other means, Bohemirn Tower could not hope to resolve the chronic instability plaguing Subject 108.
Hence the offer, and now this refusal.
'Should I just kill him and take it?'
The simplest option, yet even with multiple Red Fragments, there was no guarantee of being able to analyze them.
Their mastery of human experimentation was not something to be underestimated.
'If a Fang of Gluttony himself appeared, suppressing him and engraving a Coercion would end it, but they are ever cautious. Even when meeting the tower master, they always use an avatar.'
What to do.
Hiram exhaled deeply through his nose, narrowing his eyes. Kullus ignored him, gazing instead at Subject 108.
A heavy silence reigned.
...Kuuung!!!
A strange rumble shook the air.
Close.
From above.
Lifting their heads, they could see space itself trembling.
"What disturbance is this?"
"..."
Kullus asked, but Hiram gave no reply. For he too did not understand the situation.
Crack.
The ceiling split.
"!"
Both Hiram and Kullus reflexively raised protective barriers, just as a massive shockwave erupted, causing collapse.
Kugung! Kung! Kwaaarrrr...!
Chunks of the structure slammed into the ground, causing tremors, while shards scattered everywhere, obscuring vision.
Huff.
A shadow descended from above, landing in the lowest level of the unofficial laboratory.
In the darkness and emptiness, blue eyes blazed.
"It's been a while, Hiram."
For the first time since Defying the Heavens, Verden stood face-to-face with a Bohemirn elder.