Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 172

Episode 172: The Aftermath (2)

Airplanes are treated as strategic weapons rather than simply as a means of transportation.

Even though it is a small flying machine, the defensive magic circle that blocks external impacts is quite effective, and it can easily transport dozens of knights and their food and drink supplies for about a month.

The magic stone that acts as the engine can operate for three months once fully charged, depending on the pilot's skills.

These are the basic performance of the aircraft.

Here, with astronomical modifications and depending on the number of passengers transported, its performance can be daringly improved to the point where it is incomparable.

Magic bombardment using an offensive magic circle or magicians.

Teleportation that allows you to jump over long distances in an instant by specifying coordinates.

A surprise attack using advanced transparency to destroy the enemy's rearguard. In addition, it causes the engine magic stone to go out of control and then rams the entire aircraft into a self-destruct with the power to paralyze the city's functions.

“They are all extremely dangerous. Do you understand, Miss?”

At Edmon's nagging, Kalia, lying in bed, nodded weakly.

She had heard similar admonitions several times already, but she made no excuses. Even if she had stolen the plane to punish the glory of the dead, it was still stealing.

This was a responsibility that Kalia had to shoulder.

'But isn't nagging for an hour too much?'

It's already difficult because of the injury.

Kalia looked as if she was in pain.

Edmon coughed slightly at that sight.

“Oh, my nagging has gone on too long. You must be feeling sick already.”

“……Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, I never really cared about that. I’ve always been your teacher. It’s been a long time since I felt bad about nagging you. Especially to someone who stole a plane. Isn’t that right? Hehehe!”

Edmon chuckled.

It was a kind yet firm laughter, then and now.

“By the way, many people, including the young lady and the Vespa captain, were injured. To be honest, it’s surprising that there were no deaths.”

The Knights of the White Knights, the Knights of the Diocese, and Verden aboard the Bellos.

They moved into the large flying boat 'Solidren' that Edmon had come aboard, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of the Marquis' men.

… … But in fact, it was called surveillance, but in reality it was relief work.

Even if we tried to arrest them, they were all patients.

The armor, shield, and sword bore the marks of a fierce battle.

“Thanks to Bishop Ronander and the knights. They poured their divine powers to the limit to prevent any casualties, but at least they avoided instant death.”

“I see. The bishop fainted, and the commander of the knights lost one of his arms… This must have been a battle of a different level from the usual criminal-sweeping.”

When Callia tried to tell what had happened, Edmon stopped her.

“Your Excellency the Marquis of Esperance is the first one to hear the full story of the incident. So you don’t need to explain it to me. I will help you even if I don’t know.”

"still……."

“Well, I said that, but it’s not like I didn’t know at all. I figured out what was going on in the parish while tracking the young lady.”

A parish filled with blood and corpses.

Even Edmon could not help but be shocked by the horrible sight.

“I heard from there that they were attacked by a black magician. You must have stolen the plane to track down that evil spirit.”

"Because that was the best thing to do."

“I suppose it must be the best thing you thought it would be. Well, that’s true, but your actions are truly frightening. Before inheriting the title, even the bold Marquis wouldn’t dare touch an airplane.”

“Well, if my father were in my situation, he might have stolen all the airplanes.”

“Heh heh heh! Maybe so. But……”

Edmon stroked his neat beard.

“How were you able to subdue that black magician? I’m very curious about this one thing.”

Black magic is vulnerable to divine power due to its magical nature.

However, in such a disadvantageous situation, the diocese that the bishop was guarding was destroyed. Although Kalia was strong, it was not enough to handle such a strong opponent.

Then Kalia shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know. Because I didn’t punish him.”

“Oh, so that means it was the wizard Asher who defeated it.”

“Did you know?”

“Of course. Of all of them, he was the only one whose skills I didn’t know about. Unlike the others, he stood out by not having a single scar. Moreover……”

Edmon tapped the area near his neck.

“He is also a man who has received the Marquis’ Mark. So it is obvious that he is a capable person who will be acknowledged by the young lady. But I did not know that he would allow me to borrow money from Dyna Bank. A whopping 2.5 billion elk. Didn’t I clearly tell you not to stand as guarantor so easily?”

“It was a price to pay. And I’m not stupid enough to vouch for just anyone.”

“So, is that wizard trustworthy enough to earn your trust?”

“I owe you my life twice already. Isn’t that enough to make you trust me?”

Kalia's eyes were straight.

The voice was full of favor towards the wizard.

“Oh…… When you say it like that, I become even more curious.”

How could a young wizard known as a 4th-tier lightning wizard subdue a black magician?

Discrepancy with rumors.

An unknown wizard who has awakened high-level attributes.

Edmon began to feel a strong, wizardly curiosity.

The smile on his face now was far from his usual kindness. It was that of a wizard of reversal, filled with a spirit of victory.

Kalia said.

“Grandpa Edmon, I understand your feelings, but I think it would be better not to test Asher.”

“Hehehe! Are you taking care of me because I’m your person? Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you…….”

“It’s the opposite.”

"……yes?"

Edmon blinked in confusion.

He is a wizard who has reached the top of the 5th tier and is a 'backlash' wizard who has survived countless battles.

If we had to rank them, we could say they were among the top ten in the kingdom.

No matter how many black magicians were subdued, objectively speaking, it was difficult to be an opponent for Edmon.

But what's the opposite?

“Are you serious?”

Kalia laughed playfully.

“Well? I advised.”

Kalia just closed her eyes.

He must have been so tired from his injury that he fell asleep without even being able to say anything.

Edmon stared blankly at Kalia's face.

'I'm going to get hurt instead?'

I'm confused as to whether this is a joke or not.

I was curious about what the truth was, but I couldn't wake up the sick patient to ask. And even if I did, it didn't seem like he would tell me.

But that doesn't mean I have any intention of just sitting back and watching.

'There's nothing I can do, Miss Kalia.'

Find out what kind of person Asher is.

This was an order from none other than the Marquis of Esperance himself. Even if I suppressed my curiosity, it was certain that I would test him.

'Of course, I would have looked into it even if Your Majesty had not ordered it himself.'

When would be a good time to meet face to face?

I would like to meet you right away, but it is dangerous to do business on a plane. Even if we just talk, I wonder if I can control my competitive spirit during the conversation.

Edmon was aware of how strong his desire was.

“Well… yeah, that would be good.”

Edmon nodded and left the room.

* * *

Verden, the only one who was unscathed, was assigned a room all by himself.

I took a quick look around and saw that the interior was comparable to that of a high-end hotel.

'It's no comparison to small aircraft.'

I think it was called Solidren.

On the way, I saw that it was slower than the Principality's flying boat, 'Rishid', but even if you compare its size by eye, it was easily three times larger than Rishid.

It truly fit the category of a large-scale flying boat.

'I would like to know what kind of magic circle is engraved on it and what its power structure is, but… … .'

Verden was currently unable to move freely.

Whatever the reason, it was clear that he was one of the accomplices who hijacked the plane.

Of course, it wasn't right to be treated like a real criminal, but that didn't mean I could just wander around.

It's a shame, but there's nothing we can do about it.

'I have something to check anyway.'

Verden, who had changed his mind, sat down on the bed.

Then he took out a blackened bag from the space bag. It was the space bag that White Bone Viola had.

I wonder what's inside this.

It may have something to do with the glory of the corpse, and as a wizard, there may be rare magical items.

Whatever it was, it was enough to pique my curiosity.

I opened the suitcase with anticipation.

“……!”

The first thing that came out was a black book with an ominous feel.

A black magic book of the material series.

'I knew it.'

A magic book is a magical item that every magician desires. Its strengthening effects extend to related magic.

Of course, even for a magician of the Magic Tower, it would be difficult to obtain the magic book, but since he was part of an unknown organization called the Glory of the Corpse, it would not have been impossible for him to obtain it.

When I heard about it, he seemed quite old, despite his appearance.

'It's a shame that I can't use it… … but if I find an owner, I can sell it for a high price.'

It's already open, though.

Even so, its value can never be ignored.

Then Verden took out the next item.

This time it was a book.

But I couldn't read it at all. From the title to the content, it was all written in characters I had never seen before.

'Is it an ancient language?'

Verden has no deep knowledge of ancient history.

Still, since I have read a considerable number of books throughout my life, I had some knowledge even in areas I was unfamiliar with.

Yet I had no idea where this text came from.

Moreover, the paper was of a material I had never seen before, and each page clearly showed the ravages of time. Perhaps this writing was so old that it had been forgotten even in ancient times.

'Well, it's an antique after all.'

Expectations have dropped.

If things continue like this, it doesn’t seem like anything usable will come out of it… … Soon, Verden turned the space bag inside out and emptied it out.

Rather than being disappointed by checking each one, it would be better to be disappointed once.

Boom. Boom.

A few crumpled bundles of money and trinkets stained with dried blood fell out. As expected, there were no magical items.

Tsk. Verden clicked his tongue.

At that moment, something shiny fell onto the bed.

"……bone?"

It was also a human bone made of gold.

Judging by its structure and size, it looked like a femur, but it felt faintly magical. It seemed to be some kind of magical item.

But it wasn't just any object.

'It's a golden bone sealed not by a magic circle, but by the spirit of the commander himself.'

It wasn't like it had any curses or anything on it, so it was safe to touch, but it had an ominous feel that rivaled the Grim Reaper.

What is this golden bone, which appears to be a magical item, and why is it sealed like this?

It was enough to pique the wizard's curiosity, but Verden's magic and knowledge were unable to break the seal.

'It would be impossible to solve unless you have at least the level of an archbishop's divine power.'

For now, breaking the seal was a distant dream.

After that, nothing more came out of Viola's suitcase.

What I ended up getting was.

Black magic book.

Soot space bag.

An unreadable book.

Sealed golden femur.

And a few million elk and some dirty trinkets.

That was all.

'It's not a reward, it's a spoil, but… … it's a bit disappointing.'

Except for the space bag, Verden couldn't use anything else.

But it can't be helped.

Still, I guess I should be thankful that I got a black magic book. There was no way to do anything with the old book or the femur for now.

Well, it won't be too late to think about it once I get back.

Verden, who had been distracted, devoted himself to getting some much-needed rest.

And after a few days, we arrived at our destination.

* * *

The plane arrived in the large city of Lines, not the parish.

This was because the Marquis of Esperance, who had heard the news from the parish, secured the survivors' soldiers and safely transported them to the Rhine.

Because Lines would be safer and easier to treat injuries than the parish where the horrific scene remained.

A total of four aircraft landed near the lines.

Following Edmon's instructions, we entered the lines one by one.

Kalia said to Verden.

“I’ll go see my father right away. Asher, you stay at my house for the time being. Well, if you feel uncomfortable, you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t leave Lines, but I’d like you to be back before dinner time.”

Well, he hadn't yet been labeled as a flight hijacker.

I had no intention of leaving Lines until then, since I had to receive compensation from Kalia anyway.

Verden nodded.

"All right."

“Then let’s see each other in the evening.”

Kalia headed to the city center with Vespa and the knights.

Verden, who was watching the scene, took a step forward. The direction was not towards Kalia's house, but towards the outskirts of Lines.

'Aiden, Charlotte, Samwell.'

Since I was in Lines, I thought I'd check up on them to see how they were doing.

And now that I've finished a big commission, I'm tempted to try Samwell's special cocktail. I don't know where the bar is, but I'll be able to find it in no time.

The current Verden could afford to be that relaxed without any problems.

That was when.

Someone blocked Verden's path.

“Asher, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Edmon Rodriner.

He smiled kindly, holding the staff.