Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 226

Problem 226 (2)

The highest point of the dark district of Loafra.

The leaders of Winterthur gathered in a gray castle with an underground lake filled with skeletons beneath.

The king of the underworld, Grond.

He sat on the throne, holding in his hand a message from the royal house of Estyria. Heavy, joyful laughter echoed through the audience room.

“Hahahahaha! Has the King of Estyria finally gone completely mad? No matter how special his traits are, he’s betting such a crazy amount of money on a mere wizard. I’m the one who finds this ridiculous.”

“Isn’t it possible that the experiment led by Leonil is nearing its end?”

An experiment that has been carried out in secret for decades.

As the King of Estyria, he had no choice but to be in a hurry, as his health was deteriorating noticeably with each passing year.

When I think about it that way, this amount makes sense.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s an experiment or not. What matters is that the price of a wizard has risen as much as it can, and that valuable customers are more than willing to pay a very high price for it. The wait is over.”

The cloudy golden eyes moved.

“Robert, where is Asher?”

“Since his recent visit to the capital with the Marquis of Esperance, his whereabouts have been unknown. I think he may be moving secretly on some kind of request.”

“Then I guess I should ask the people around him. There should be someone who knows, like the information source who is closely connected to him, the group that moved with him in Loafra, and Kalia.”

“You mean Callia? But there is a non-aggression pact with the Marquis of Esperanza…….”

“Treaties? Those things don’t mean anything anymore.”

Grond stood up.

“The civil war between the First Prince and the Second Prince has already begun. Of course, it will end with the victory of the First Prince whom I raised. If that happens, the entire kingdom will fall into my hands. Do you think the Marquis of Esperanza can do anything about it? Even if he does, it will be nothing more than a tantrum.”

There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

The king of the underworld gave orders to his subjects.

“Robert, you and Drakeen will lead the civil war behind the First Prince. Don’t end it unilaterally, but buy time appropriately. So that the First Prince can truly understand the need for Wintert.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will obey your orders.”

Grond shifted his gaze.

“And, Slay”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A dull voice that scratches the eardrums.

Slay, the leader of the assassination group, bowed his head.

“As I said last time, I will delegate authority over Asher’s case to you. Take the assassins of Wintert yourself, somehow find out Asher’s whereabouts, and bring him to me in good condition. By the way, I heard that the executives of the security department, Robert and Rocky, suffered a setback at the auction house. Take them with you as well.”

“I will never disappoint you.”

Everyone simultaneously prostrated themselves before Grond.

Amidst their loyalty and fear, Grond sat back down on his throne. He twisted his lips as he imagined his future.

The day when we will go beyond the shade and dominate the sun.

* * *

There are two types of artificial golems.

One is an all-in-one type that uses a single magic circle, and the other is a composite type that applies magic circles to each body part and connects them together.

The repair golem belonged to the latter group.

“…….”

At the center of the repair golem was engraved a magic circle specifically for artificial golems.

A magic circle that is never used in the Bohemian Tower. Although some of its functions were successfully interpreted, it was not easy to handle.

I've never encountered anything this complicated in a magic thesis. Even if it were half that much, it would be the same.

'Still, it didn't take as long as I thought.'

Fortunately, the repair golem's magic circle was close to completion.

The command system that can open locked doors has already been installed. After a considerable amount of work, the magic circle has been completed.

Then, I connected it to the magic circles on each body part. I lightly breathed magic power into it and the entire magic circle flickered normally.

'Now all I have to do is take care of the magic storage space.'

It doesn't have to be perfect.

Even if the Artesian Tower's Tower's Tower Jujube is there, it will not be enough. It is beyond the range of Verden's production capabilities. Durability and efficiency have been completely ruled out.

For now, this is enough.

'however…….'

Verden turned his consciousness forward.

Alpha was watching the work process blankly. It had the ability to converse, make decisions based on those conversations, and even issue orders while following them.

It was a special quality befitting the position of general manager.

How on earth was Alpha created? It was almost beyond my imagination.

In the meantime, the work was finished.

With the magic power fully charged, it should be able to move for at least an hour. If it's not enough, you can charge more magic power. The endless amount of magic power is one of Verden's strengths.

I pulled a thread of magic from my fingertips.

After penetrating the central magic circle, it was forcibly activated.

Phew.

Light came from the repair golem.

There are definitely some unnatural parts to the body movement, but for a first attempt, it turned out great.

Alpha scanned the repair golem.

[Repair Golem completion rate 72%. Mission can be completed. I will guide you to the first power room.]

Light streamed from Alpha's eyes.

Then the repair golem started to follow Alpha. It was like watching a mind-controlling golem.

'It's definitely special.'

Verden's party arrived in front of the first power room.

The repair golem, under Alpha's command, approached the device next to the door.

A thick, pointed, serrated arm was inserted into the device, and as it was twisted to the right, a clicking sound was heard as magical power flowed inside.

“How long will it take?”

[23 seconds left.]

It's faster than I thought.

Immediately afterwards, a magical light flowed out from above the door.

Giggle! Giggle!

There is a sound of metal ripping and a loud noise.

A gap opened up just big enough for one person to pass through. Beyond it, a long, dark passage was visible.

The sound of footsteps lingers in my ears.

The first power room we arrived at was a cube-shaped room, literally filled with magic circles. The floor, walls, and even the ceiling.

It was hard to find an empty space in the field of vision. The thick cold air froze the air.

At first glance, it looks like it's meant for transmitting power… … .

'Some parts are damaged.'

There are some parts that are broken here and there. There are also places where the entire wall has collapsed.

It was as if he was venting his anger… … It was clear that this was the second facility problem Alpha had mentioned.

There is no need to analyze it; it is a scar caused by magic. If it was enough to damage the construction technology of the Magic Nation, it must have been of extraordinary power.

The facility intruders Alpha spoke of must have been members of the Ark.

So where is the culprit?

There was no need to look hard for it.

The center of the primary powerhouse.

There lay the remains of the wizard.

* * *

Broken glasses, a white cane, and a fountain pen.

A tattered, blood-stained robe covered it, evidence that someone had been there and died.

[Intruder confirmed dead. 3 cases of facility intrusion. All resolved.]

Alpha pronounced death.

Verden, kneeling on one knee, narrowed his eyes.

‘… … Suicide?’

There is no trace of the body whatsoever.

The cold of the primary power room would not have even caused decay. There was no conclusion other than that the wizard of the ark chose death by using magic on himself.

Was it because they were locked up that they were short on food?

So why did he damage the primary power room and lock himself in? The answer was hidden inside the robe.

He carefully lifted the robe.

A frozen notebook appeared.

After warming it up slightly with heat, he opened the front page. It was filled with records left by the wizard during his lifetime.

<When I applied the relic of the Demon King that I received from the listener to the octagonal castle, a path opened up. At the end of it was a teleportation magic circle. When I used the relic, I arrived at an unknown location.>

<A golem made of unknown technology greeted me. It showed hostility, calling me an unauthorized intruder, but it was not a threat at all since it had no weapons. How could they have created such golems? I could not understand it with my knowledge. They were beautiful.>

<I only realized this after looking around here. This is not a tomb. It is clearly the Demon King's laboratory, his great legacy. It is splendid.>

<Was the challengers of the previous trials like me? If so, why didn't they come back? I don't know why, but I will be different.>

<I will inherit the legacy of the Demon King.>

Praise for the Demon King continued to pour in.

I was delighted by the sight of a building that was clearly built in ancient times, yet surpassed modern technology. I could feel the will to obtain the hidden secrets and the legacy of the Demon King.

<I found a space filled with magic circles. The one-eyed golem said it was the primary power room. I ignored the warning and went inside.>

<But the door to the next location is closed. Is it blocked by other challengers? You have to modify this giant magic circle to proceed.>

<It's a difficult puzzle that I've never encountered before, but if I have time, I can solve it. If I fail the ordeal by not being able to open the door, I'll be a laughing stock.>

<I am confident that I am the most knowledgeable about magic circles. In the Academy, in the Magic Tower, and in the Ark. I will definitely overcome the ancient trials and return to the Ark.>

Until then, the handwriting had been filled with confidence.

But that attitude began to disappear as the pages turned.

<… … I don’t understand. I don’t know where to start. I definitely checked the magic circle properly, but I can’t figure it out.>

<Yes, I must have been mistaken. There must have been something I missed. Mistakes are human nature.>

<The second one will be different.>

The wizard of the ark made many trials and errors.

3, 4… … 8… … 22… … 138… … 402… … As the number of times increased, the handwriting became rougher. There was also content that hinted at mental confusion.

The torn and crumpled paper piled up.

<1,032 times. The result was the same. I got angry without knowing it and poured out my magic. It was just venting my anger. It was definitely not a rational decision. Why did I do that?>

<The magic circle was damaged. The power was completely cut off and the door closed.>

<Damn, I can't fix it. I tried everything I had, but the result was the same. My magic couldn't break the door. I'm trapped. The temperature is dropping rapidly, probably because the power is cut off.>

<I have a bad thought>

Emotions are gradually reaching their peak.

I could see myself slowly being driven to the edge of a cliff.

<3,023 times… … The robe could not withstand the prolonged cold. It lost its ability to maintain body temperature. It needed fire to survive.>

<I used what I had as firewood.>

<The space bag was no exception. Still, I kept this notebook that I bought to record my exploration of the ruins.>

<I am a fool.>

It's full of all kinds of insults about yourself.

There were drops of blood dripping down the letters, indicating self-harm.

The red-tinted paper speaks.

<Yes, that was it. Now I had to admit it. I can't do anything about this magic circle. I can't get out of here. I'm worse than a rat in despair.>

<And then I realized my limitations. Not the limitations of my hierarchy as a wizard, but the limitations of me, the human being Kalad.>

<I, I cannot become the Demon King.>

<In the past, in the present, in the future. All of me is less than the toes of a person who lived hundreds of years ago. All my life. Even after death. Forever.>

<I dreamed of becoming the second Demon King. Is my life, which I have lived while dreaming of such a dream, really worth it?>

<I wish I hadn't known. As a member of the ark, I would have felt superior by saving people with my meager power. I would have left my dreams as dreams.>

<I regret being a wizard.>

<It would be miserable to starve to death or freeze to death.>

The last page of the notebook.

At the end, these words remained:

<… … I hope my choice doesn’t cause pain to the listener.>

* * *

'Were you friendly with the listener?'

Verden quietly closed his notebook.

Through the things he left behind, I saw the end of the wizard named Calad.

A completely enclosed space.

Feeling his limits and collapsing, he was unable to overcome despair and ended his life by his own will.

Verden also knew that feeling well.

However, unlike the collard, it never collapsed. That was the difference.

I packed Kalard's belongings in my space bag.

It was equipment that a wizard could use, but I had no intention of having it. It was inferior to the equipment that Verden had anyway.

Then why did you bring it?

‘… … Let’s call it courtesy as a wizard.’

After finishing the training, I moved on.

[Your Majesty the Demon King. The status of the first power room is… … .]

“Check it yourself.”

After defeating Alpha, I took a spin around the primary powerhouse.

After checking the magic circle, he stood in the center of it. He raised his head and looked at the ceiling. The magic circle was looking at Verden.

Verden couldn't help but laugh in vain.

Because the composition of this magic circle was already known.

“Is the power source for the magic tower coming out now?”

The magic circle here was like a magic circle that moved the power source's magical power throughout the entire magic tower. No, to be exact, it was similar.

Overall and in detail, it appears to be inferior to the magic circle of the magic tower.

The power source for the Magic Tower was first invented about 180 years ago. There is a gap of several hundred years since the era of the Demon King.

What on earth is the relationship between the Demon King and the power source?

Was his knowledge passed on? Or was it… … that the living Demon King intervened?

'If so.'

Verden put his hand on his heart.

I feel a strong pulse and immense magical power.

The power source of the Demon King.

Verden's magic circle of reversal.

The unknown created by the combination of the two is contained entirely in this heart.

'Maybe I can find out the secrets that reside within my body here.'

It's just an expectation, not a certainty.

Still, it gives us one more reason to move forward.

For that, we need to completely restore this magic circle and modify some of it to open the door to the secondary power room.

Verden's destination is the administrator's office at the end of this laboratory, a 'administrator' with higher authority than Alpha, the general manager.

'Who is the manager?'

I was curious, but I didn't ask Alpha.

Since I was planning to go and check it out myself anyway, it would be pointless to find out that I wasn't the Demon King by asking useless questions.

Verden said.

“Alpha, you are interrupting my work, so wait outside.”

[Confirm command.]

Alpha disappeared with the repair golem.

Berden, left alone, reached out towards the magic circle.

Time passed like that.

[1st power room repair complete. Total power restored to 37%. Thank you, Your Majesty the Demon King.]

Magic has returned to the lab.

* * *

The abyss-filled space, the administrator's office.

In this place that has existed for hundreds of years, the passage of time has no meaning, because there were no 'humans' here who could not endure time.

Only the staff and cane, which had lost their master and were leaning against the pillar, symbolized that change had come. And that too, decades later.

Since the second intruder came to him and closed the administration office, no one has set foot in there, not even Alpha, who oversees the entire lab.

Desolate silence was his only companion.

Kukukukukuku… … !

At that moment, the entire space began to vibrate.

The power of magic could be felt from afar. It was clearly in the direction of the primary power room. It was an unexpected flow.

And that change brought about other changes.

A gray throne placed on ten steps.

A wizard who had been asleep for a long time, the administrator, opened his eyes.