Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 264

Episode 264: The VIP (2)

After the coronation, Verden was treated as the most distinguished guest and spent time in the palace.

There were no major injuries, but we had a fierce battle so we needed to get some rest.

The central figures of the royal family, whose minds had been taken over, did not have any major doubts about Verden's existence, and since the Marquis of Esperenza also had his influence, there were no procedural problems at all.

'They say Karans will be coming to the palace soon.'

Guardian Elf Karanth's whereabouts are a matter of concern.

Since Leonil is dead, I can't just leave him to live in the kingdom like this. If I'm not careful, it could spread to problems between the races.

Anyway, I heard that Kalia and Fernet would be accompanying Karans, so there was no need to rest anywhere other than the palace.

Verden recovered his greatly depleted magical power in a luxurious facility.

Ainver, who had wounds and slight damage to his skin, has already been repaired.

His physical condition was so clean that it was hard to believe that he was the one responsible for causing a magical war that could devastate the entire royal palace in the spiritual realm.

Verden, who had been relieved of his fatigue, began to move.

While staying in the palace, there were a few things to take care of.

* * *

Silis' influence was particularly deep in the royal city of Esnoren.

From the King of Estyria, Prince Valgna, and Prime Minister Palorand to the butler and servants who serve him, the spirit of each member was delicately touched.

The court magicians and the knights of the guard were killed in the spirit world.

Originally, the consciousness should have collapsed as it was, but instead of mitigating some of the damage and saving her life, Silis directly manipulated her mind.

The deeper the consciousness is touched, the stronger the resistance becomes, but since the mental power was already infinitely weak, no one could resist.

Leonil and the High Court Magi were killed while in physical form.

So, it was impossible to recover or do anything like a psychic, so the absence could not be avoided, but no one suspected it enough to take action.

Because it's something that can be made to believe that they've been dispatched somewhere or that they simply haven't encountered each other.

It was a simple matter to hide their deaths from the witch Silis.

'To avoid feeling even the slightest sense of discomfort in the changed scenery, false dreams are imprinted on the mind, confusing it with reality.'

And not just one or two, but countless people.

Even though it borrows the power of an artifact, it is a wide-ranging and powerful mental magic.

There are very few people in the world with this level of power.

She's a witch.

I don't know who named it that, but it was definitely a worthy name.

“We have arrived.”

The carriage stopped.

The coachman went out through the door he had opened himself.

Kingdom Magic Castle.

A massive building housing the court magicians appeared before my eyes.

The two court magicians who came out to greet him bowed.

“Haha, welcome to the Kingdom of Magic Castle. I have heard your words───”

“Where is Leonil’s office?”

A sudden question.

The startled court wizard quickly answered.

“Ah, that, His Excellency Leonil, uses the entire top floor. So it’s easy to find, but the interior is large and complex, and some spaces have hidden magic circles to block intruders. It’s very dangerous, so we’ll guide you there ourselves.”

“No need. I’ll go alone, so don’t bother anyone.”

Verden passed the two people and entered the magic castle.

The court wizard, overwhelmed by his bold actions and oppressive atmosphere, just stared blankly at his back.

“Who on earth is that person? I’ve heard he’s a high-ranking guest… but judging by his age, he doesn’t seem to be a high-ranking noble from another country.”

“He must have come from the Magic Tower. Otherwise, how could he have come to the Magic Castle? And judging by the way he treats His Excellency Leonil so arrogantly, he must be of a high status. He even received a direct order from the royal family to grant him whatever he asks.”

“Hmm… I guess he might be lying about his appearance and age with magic items. Anyway, I warned him about the magic circle and told him not to interfere, so let’s not interfere any more. It’s just a waste of time.”

The two court magicians retreated, convinced of their own innocence.

Those who did not make it to the top are wizards who have no connection to human experimentation, and civil servants who work for the Ministry of Magic and receive a salary.

They were a people who knew how to suppress curiosity that could be dangerous.

* * *

There was only one reason why Verden visited Leonil's office.

Finding and erasing materials related to human experimentation. This was a task that had already been entrusted to me with the direct permission of the Marquis of Esperance.

Damn it.

The hidden magic circle was shattered in just a few minutes.

There was a high-level magic circle that could have blown up the entire office, but it didn't cause much trouble.

Verden, who had easily blocked the threat, spread his magic power.

A magical glow spreads throughout the office.

Immediately after, he used <Magic Detection> to identify and find out what he had discovered, and he gathered them all in one place without delay using <Telekinesis>. A simple yet difficult magical technique.

Although a huge amount of information was rushing into my head, my capacity was more than enough.

Then, a hidden safe was discovered.

He completely destroyed the magic circle that was acting as a lock and took out the contents.

In less than an hour, all the papers in the office were packed into a suitcase. The office was empty, having lost its owner.

'It's over here.'

After finishing his work, Verden left the magic castle.

Then, he overturned the places related to Leonil that he had previously identified and collected countless pieces of information. He brought the information he had gathered into the palace, checked it, and classified it by type.

It would be simple to just burn everything, but there might be important research data that is not related to human experiments. This kind of work has been done so many times on the Magic Tower that I am very good at it.

Verden's self-proclaimed classification task.

As it was almost over, a guest arrived.

“Hehehe, the strongest magician in the current kingdom is doing paperwork. You said you would do our work for us, but…… you’re still so shameful in so many ways.”

Edmon, sitting across from me, scratched his cheek.

He looked completely fine on the outside, but there was a cane standing next to him.

It seemed that because the legs that made up the psychic body were cut off and burned by Leonil, even the legs in reality were not moving well.

It is expected that about 2 to 3 weeks of rehabilitation will be needed to recover normally.

'The body feels that way even though there is no actual damage.'

Could this be considered a type of phantom pain?

In the first place, it was my first time seeing the concept of a mental body implemented visually, so it was quite novel in many ways.

“Shouldn’t you lie down a little longer?”

“With just one leg cut off, he should have been lying down for three days. Melzard was hit so badly that he’s still coughing. Both of them lack the mental strength of the Marquis.”

Edmon rubbed his thigh.

After repeatedly stimulating the tactile sense, I felt my senses slowly returning.

He turned his head and looked at the neatly organized experimental data. Edmon narrowed his eyebrows as he took in some of the contents.

“……Amplifying hierarchy through the human heart? What a crazy idea.”

A horrific experiment secretly conducted by Leonil.

He has secured the core theory of processing the heart through the special magic circuit of the elf and connecting the heart to himself through the magic circuit of a person with a special trait.

Many people died leading up to this idea, and dozens of elves and more than a dozen people with special traits died after it was conceived.

Detailed numbers were recorded in Leonil's own research journal.

“It’s truly heartbreaking that something like this has been going on for decades without being detected.”

Edmon lamented, revealing his bitter feelings.

“In that sense, Asher, you are truly amazing. You appeared as a magician without me noticing, and you were promoted to the 6th rank. I was so surprised when I saw you in the spirit world. And most of all… you gave up ownership of the heart without hesitation.”

“I think even if it were Edmon, he would have made the same choice.”

“Even so, you must have thought about it for a long time. After all, I, a fifth-tier magician, am now a sixth-tier magician. No matter how much I try to uphold ethics and goodness, it’s hard to give up something that I can’t easily grasp.”

It's not just wizards, it's human nature.

Everyone has greed, although to different degrees. Suppressing and controlling such desires has been a lifelong task.

In that sense, Verden deserved Edmon's respect.

“Oh, but how much work is left? It looks like it’s almost finished.”

Verden waved his hand away.

The masterpieces that Leonil had worked on for his entire life, piled up on one side, were instantly burned to the ground.

“It just finished.”

“……You’re really bold. Ahem, then, if it’s okay, can I ask you a small favor? Of course, if you don’t have time, it’s okay to refuse. This is just my personal wish.”

Because it's personal.

“Go ahead.”

“I want to discuss magic with you.”

The exchange of knowledge between wizards is common.

One-way exchanges, such as teachings or books, or two-way exchanges, where various opinions are put forth and discussed on a magical question.

Magic that has spread widely among the public has developed in this way.

“As you can see, I have acquired a lot of knowledge over the years I have lived. And although you are young, you possess a genius that cannot be compared to others.”

Enough to reach the magical transcendent.

“The differences between us are clear. Our perspectives are also different. That’s why I’m sure that the exchange of knowledge between us will be a fruitful time. Even if it flows in one direction… Asher, what do you think?”

Edmon's proposal was not planned.

But Verden couldn't find any reason to refuse.

It didn't take that long, and it was just part of the relaxation I took in the palace.

For Verden, magic was everyday life itself.

“Okay, let’s do that. But one hour a day.”

“Oh, really?! That alone is enough! Then───”

Edmon smiled brightly and immediately began discussing some difficult magical theory.

Among them, the theory of multiple continuities is notorious for being difficult to understand. As fellow elemental magicians, it was the perfect topic for sharing various opinions.

But Edmon didn't know.

That the man right in front of him was the founder of the theory of multiple continuities.

"uh?"

Edmon was literally smashed head-on.

One hour a day. Over the course of several days, the tower of knowledge I had built up about the theory of multiple continuities, which I had interpreted on my own, came crashing down.

Although less severe than that of Adventurer Gelton, who received direct instruction from Verden, the psychological shock was strong. Perhaps even more so than that suffered from Leonil.

Edmond suffered from minor depression in his old age.

Meanwhile, Kalia and her party came to visit the royal city of Esnoren.

* * *

“This is the royal city of Esnoren…….”

Unlike Kalia, who was born a noble, this was the first time for Fernet and Karans to enter the palace.

Ferné, a commoner and information dealer, looked around the hallway with admiring eyes.

Elf Karans liked the human kingdom's seclusion, which was surrounded by forests and had few people compared to its size.

The butcher Gaulic remained in Loafra.

He was injured, but he was not directly involved in the incident. The same was true for Robert of Wintert.

So the two people and one elf entered the palace.

After a late meal and a refreshing drink, they met Verden and Edmon in the VIP room.

While exchanging greetings, Kalia tilted her head.

“Grandpa? Your complexion doesn’t look so good…….”

“Oh, um, nothing, Miss Kalia. Now, please sit down. I have something important to tell you.”

Edmon glanced at Verden and waved his hand.

After a while, everyone sat down with refreshments in front of them.

“So what do you want to say?”

“Well, so…….”

Edmon carefully listed the past events.

It was a matter that had already been approved by the Marquis.

Carans was the party concerned, Fernet was the Marquis' assistant, and Kalia was the Marquis' only daughter. Crucially, she was close to Verden, so she was sufficiently qualified.

Of course, there's also the story about Silis and the witch.

It would be better to know as little as possible, but they would not be likely to open their mouths carelessly.

“……That’s what happened.”

Silence fell as Edmon's voice ceased.

The Rubinellean duchy, the princess, large-scale human experiments, etc. The scale of the incident was so large that it was difficult to accept it with one's head.

“Uh, uh…….”

“Incorrigible trash……!”

Fernet was at a loss, and Kalia crossed her arms, not hiding her disgust for the royal family. Meanwhile, Karans released his deceitful face.

When her true form was revealed, her uniquely beautiful appearance was revealed.

“Brother… how did that man named Leonil die?”

Verden recalled Leonil's end.

The gruesome sight of someone almost like a corpse came to mind.

To sum it up:

“Miraculously.”

Karans, who was flinching, raised his head.

Soon, the corners of his mouth twisted into a cheerful smile.

“Well done, brother!”

Clap clap clap clap!

Karans applauded.

Then, the spirit Blue popped out and blinked, saying that it was good.

Karans was brought to the kingdom as experimental material and suffered for a long time.

Fortunately, he was able to survive thanks to Verden, but the other elves did not survive.

Elves who value community spirit.

The resentment towards his own kind was very deep. Blue's hatred was no different.

The reactions of elves and spirits celebrating the death of a man.

Edmon felt bitter as he looked at him. He felt sorry for Leonil, who had lived such a life. He cleared his throat and tried to lighten the mood.

“In that sense, Karans, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it, a human wizard?”

His attitude turned cold.

I'm used to this kind of reaction now.

“Now that Leonil is gone, we’ve been thinking about what to do with you. Well, to be honest, we only had one choice. So, we’re thinking of sending you to the Great Forest.”

“……! Are you serious?!”

Karans opened his eyes wide.

Edmon nodded, saying, “Of course.”

“You are a victim who suffered under the royal family. Just wait a little longer. We are currently looking into a method. It would be dangerous to take you directly to the Great Forest, and it would also be too long a journey. Please understand.”

“Hmm, well, good.”

Karans turned his head abruptly.

I couldn't hide my joy at being able to return to the forest I had longed for.

Then Verden said,

“But what about the spirit? Will he take Blue with him on his way back to the Great Forest?”

Blue was the spirit who made a contract with Karans.

Although the connection was lost, there was no change to the fact that they were still companions. It might be different if they were nearby, but I couldn't help but be reluctant to be separated from Blue at all.

"hmm……."

Karans thought deeply.

Ferné hugged Blue, who was leaving in front of him. He had grown attached to her, so he didn't want to part ways with her like this.

“That… seems like a problem that I need to discuss with Blue. And that human woman named Perne.”

Carans and Verden.

Fernet flinched as he received the gaze of the two. However, he did not loosen the strength in his arm that was holding Blue.

“So that’s what they say. Is that okay?”

“Oh, yes. Let’s talk it out amongst ourselves… so that we can all come to an agreement.”

Fernet clenched his jaw.

There was no room for Verden to intervene here. Blue's future was a matter for those three to decide.

So the problem with Carans and Blue is half solved.

At that moment, Kalia carefully opened her mouth.

“Asher, when are you leaving then?”

“……!”

Everyone perked up their ears.

Berden, who had been given attention, tapped his fingers.

Although I could leave right away since I had taken care of Leonil, my last objective in the kingdom, there was still work to be done and things to think about.

There is also the problem of how to get the huge amount of money in Grond's vault.

It's too early to set a date.

When Verden could not answer easily, Kalia asked again.

“Then can you tell me before you leave?”

If that's the case, then of course it is.

I had no intention of suddenly disappearing without a word anyway.

“Well, that’s true.”

Verden agreed.

Only then did Kalia smile faintly.