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Genius Warlock - Episode 520

520. owner of a ruined land (3)

“Do you know about the apocalypse?”

Bartholomew, walking ahead, asked a question..

Oliver, who was following behind, looked at Area Z and answered..

“I don't know the details, but I do know that this is the starting point of what is now Landa..”

An answer that hits straight to the point. Bartholomew nodded silently..

Ironically, the great disaster that brought down Landa in the past was also the starting point for creating a new type of Landa called the Free City..

If this land had not been destroyed and polluted in the aftermath of the cataclysm, the kingdom would not have granted autonomy in exchange for development..

“However, we do not know why the apocalypse occurred and what the apocalypse is specifically..”

Oliver added as they reached the inside of Zone Z..

Inside Zone Z, there were buildings that appeared to be mansions..

Although its original form had faded to the point where it was difficult to recognize due to time and disaster, Oliver could instinctively know that this was once a prosperous place..

“It's natural. Just as you cannot cover the sky with your hands, you cannot hide the great disaster itself, but the detailed story is another story... You can hide and twist why the catastrophe occurred and what the catastrophe was like. Through so many lies.”

This time Oliver nodded..

Hiding the dusty truth by spreading numerous lies was already one of the common methods used in Landa..

It was kind of fun. The work being done countless times within Landa even obscures the true story of the great disaster that played a decisive role in Landa's birth. It was very interesting.

“But are all the members of the committee opposing development very shy??”

Oliver asked as he looked at the people hiding throughout the ruined building..

They all wore bandages all over their bodies, just like the anti-development committee that Oliver had seen in the past, and some of them had their appearances so distorted that they could be seen even through the bandages..

To the extent that it reminds one of animals rather than people, such as lizards and dogs..

“Everyone seems embarrassed, perhaps because it's been a while since they've had an outsider come in..”

Bartholomew stopped in front of a ruin, looking around..

The ruins were a place where a huge building had collapsed, and in front of the ruins sat an Ogreman, a type of mutant..

This Ogerman had bandages all over his body like other members of the anti-development committee..

“open the door.”

As soon as Bartholomew ordered, Ogreman stood up from his seat. It is 1.5 times larger than a normal Ogreman. Oliver wondered if the Ogreman's size was due to his personal characteristics, or if it was due to the strange yet familiar energy emanating from down there..

“Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!”

While Oliver was thinking, the Ogreman moved an arm as thick as a log, stuck his finger under the ruins, and suddenly lifted it up..

Surprisingly, there was an underground entrance cleverly hidden beneath the ruins..

When the entrance appeared, Bartholomew naturally went down there, and Oliver followed without hesitation..

Step by step. Step by step. Step by step... After a while, an underground passage appeared..

“Do you know anything about Landa before the cataclysm??”

“No, I don't know..”

Oliver, who created a light source with magic, looked around and answered. Even though the basement here was old, it didn't seem like a simple sewer..

The elaborately crafted interior is proof of this. There, the walls were filled with antique shields, swords, armor, and portraits with torn and erased faces. I was wondering what they were doing..

“Before the cataclysm occurred, Landa was also prosperous, but it looked quite different now. It was thoroughly stratified..”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it was one of the direct territories of the royal family, so it was natural. All the land was owned by the royal family, and influential nobles who wanted to be close to the royal family flocked to it. It is the second capital in a different sense than it is now..”

“······When you say royal family, do you mean the royal family that currently rules the United Kingdom??”

Oliver asked me something I was curious about earlier..

“That's right. The Landa catastrophe actually happened only a few decades ago. She was even ranked higher in succession than the Queen who now sits on her throne..”

Oliver nodded solemnly in response to Bartholomew's answer..

Just a few decades ago, I heard a very shocking and surprising story that the royal family and influential nobles of this country made a deal with the devil and caused a catastrophe..

But I couldn't help it. I've already heard a similar story.

It was said that the kingdom's current heir, Edward.

So, I didn't think it would be particularly surprising if something similar happened in Landa decades ago..

Even though decades may be a long time when viewed individually, when viewed from the perspective of the times and history, it was a short, fleeting moment..

However, a separate question arose..

“Bartholomew. Can I ask you a question??”

“please speak.”

“If it were a few decades ago, wouldn't the United Kingdom have been at its peak? I read the newspaper and read some history books..”

“you're right. We were just entering the era of victory..”

“So, why did you decide to make a deal with the devil? what did you want.”

Oliver asked as if he didn't understand. 'Cause I really didn't understand.

The kingdom was just entering the Age of Victory, and of course the royal family and nobles would also enter the Age of Victory. The ruling class of their kingdom enjoyed greater benefits than anyone else..

If the gold and silver treasures I saw on the way were one of the evidence, then.

However, Oliver couldn't understand what was so disappointing about making a deal with the devil..

Bartholomew gave the answer..

“It may sound crazy, but you don't have to have a good reason to make a deal with the devil..”

“I don't think you're crazy. I don't think I have the right to judge something like that... However, I am just curious. Why did you make a deal with the devil??”

Bartholomew was thinking deeply. He tilted his head..

“hmm······. To remove wrinkles on the face or restore weakened lower back strength.?”

“yes?”

Oliver asked back in an idiotic voice. Because it was a story I didn’t understand at all..

“uh······. Are you kidding??”

“No, I'm serious..”

Bartholomew's sincerity shined as he said. This shocked Oliver quite a bit..

Make a deal with the devil for wrinkles and bottoms.

“Don't you understand??”

“To be honest... Yes that's right.”

“How about taking a different perspective? For example, a blood elixir..”

“Blood elixir?”

“That's right. For youth and stamina, condensed human blood and vitality are consumed... Depending on how you look at it, isn't that also a disgusting act??”

“oh······.”

Oliver unconsciously nodded and agreed. Actually, I don't know if I hate it, but I thought it was somewhat wasteful..

Oliver was still regularly preparing the blood elixir to give to Edith, and he knew better than anyone else how much blood and life force would be used to make the dark red pill..

Considering that newspapers sometimes publish articles promoting blood donation due to the lack of blood needed for transfusions, I couldn't help but feel that it was a bit of a waste, even if I didn't hate it... In Edith's case, it was directly related to her health and survival..

“In addition, I made a deal with the devil to treat minor illnesses such as back pain and cavities, sleep, a good night's sleep, obesity, and extend my life..”

“······It's such an amazing story..”

Oliver thought of the burned man he met in the New World. I didn't think they would make such a deal..

“That's what a deal with the devil is all about. Unpredictable and arbitrary. Because the devil is always in control.”

“Hmm... Have you continued to make deals with the devil??”

“of course. It's hard at first, but it gets easy after that. I had so much to offer there..”

Bartholomew shines with complex emotions that are difficult to explain and are based on regret..

Although I denied regret, I regretted it again, and in the meantime, various emotions such as self-loathing and selfishness shone in confusion as if biting each other..

It almost hurt my eyes..

“But there was one thing I missed. If you easily get what you want, no matter how trivial it is, your thirst will only increase, like drinking sea water. Easy desires gave rise to bigger desires, which became increasingly extreme and twisted..”

It's a more extreme and twisted form.······.

“Did you achieve that desire??”

“······I can say I achieved it..”

Bartholomew said while looking at his palm. He shone with sincerity, regret, and self-reproach..

“Have you encountered the devil along the way??”

“I'm not sure about that. There was so much going on at the time... Oh, is that the main point??”

Bartholomew, who was leading the way deeper and deeper underground, stopped and looked at Oliver..

Even though his face was completely covered by bandages, only the gap between his mouth was visible, I could feel Oliver's gaze penetrating into my inner thoughts..

Oliver didn't bother to deny it..

“That's not really why I asked, but I'm personally curious..”

“Is it because of my right arm??”

Bartholomew glanced at Oliver's bandaged right arm..

I thought he didn't know because he never looked at me, but I didn't. He knew that Oliver's right arm was burned by the devil..

“······It's similar.”

Oliver remembered the unknown hand that had appeared on Marie's head..

It is safe to say that Oliver came here to find out the identity of the hand that granted Marie an abnormal amount of power..

It seemed that those who survived the great disaster and were well versed in strange rituals would somehow know something about demons..

Of course, there were questions about the anti-development committee, but its ranking was relatively lower..

“that······. It's a little disappointing.”

Bartholomew spoke sincerely, and Oliver apologized..

“sorry. Recently, a lot of things have happened.”

Oliver's recent encounter with the Burned Man in the New World reminded him of Lilith..

The Burned One who called him a noble being and Lilith who asked him about his identity..

Oliver naturally postponed the question itself, but never forgot it. Even though I wanted to forget it.

‘In the same way, I never forgot that Bartholomew, who was once a royal and noble person, called me a great being.······.’

Oliver wanted to ask about that question, but he couldn't speak..

In the past, Bartholomew said it was not a question he could answer... No, maybe that's not it. The reason Oliver couldn't ask a question may have been because he was afraid. Not sure, but very likely.

Because every time I think about this question, I want to turn away.

Oliver shook his head amid the countless guesses, doubts, and doubts swirling around in his head..

Since it wasn't an urgent issue right now, I decided to postpone it again..

What was more urgent than this was Mari’s matter..

Idea is activated through the World Tree by an unknown, unidentified hand. Marie suddenly became strong enough to compete with Lilith, who can materialize reality..

Honestly, I should have noticed this sooner. From the first time I reunited with Marie. There were many strange things about Mari becoming so strong in such a short period of time..

When he returned to Landa and examined Marie's physical condition, there seemed to be no significant strain on her body, but Oliver still tried to investigate as much as possible..

While the identity is unknown, giving that much power was bound to be suspicious..

As soon as the matter was revealed, Oliver got straight to the point..

“So, by any chance, Bartholomew, do you have any of the devil's books? It's no different-”

“-The devil's book? That's a stupid request..”

A third voice suddenly intervened. Surprisingly, the sound came from the wall, not from the front or back of the hallway..

When Oliver and Bartholomew turned their heads, they could see a crack in the wall..

Zeng!!

A crushing sound sounded from beyond the wall and a crack appeared..

“Bartholomew. Is there a room or another hallway beyond??”

“no. doesn't exist. It's just land.”

Oliver was convinced. Because no emotion or life force was captured beyond the hallway walls..

However, after a while the wall collapsed and someone appeared against the blue sky..

It was none other than Lee Wan. Ewan Bremner.

The teacher of Smith, the creator of Big Mouth, an outstanding craftsman who created all kinds of miraculous items, a genius negotiator who traded beans for cows, and a great debtor..

He appeared over the wall holding a Battering Ram with a human head..

‘That battering ram. Is it black magic that can cross space??’

While Oliver was analyzing the energy around Battering Ram, Iwan came in through the broken wall. Then, surprisingly, the collapsed wall fragments returned to their original places, as if time had flown backwards..

A sight more magical than magic.

said Iwan, holding a battering ram with a crushed human head..

“Say it again. It's a stupid request..”

“what do you mean?”

“Asking people here to lend you the devil's book is a foolish request. Because all of the devil's books they owned disappeared when the apocalypse occurred. I know this because I tried to steal it and failed..”

Oliver reflexively looked at Bartholomew. He nodded silently..

I was a little confused as to whether there really wasn't a devil's book, or whether Iwan had tried to steal it in the past..

“But don't be disappointed. Because I, so kind as hell, brought you a really good offer. Consider yourself lucky.”

“I don't really understand what you're saying..?”

“You need the devil's book, right??”

Ewan pointed with his index finger at Oliver..

“Yes, just a little bit personally.-”

“-ah! Don't explain everything to me. Because I'm not interested. I'm just here to talk business. An adult transaction that only takes care of what each other wants..”

It was a very crazy and unexpected suggestion, but Lee Wan was sincere. Oliver was intrigued..

“what is the offer?”

“It's simple. Come with me to Gallos and uncover the legacy of the human meat cook.!”

Lee Wan spoke vigorously as he lifted up the Battering Ram, which had a human head on its tip. My eyeballs fell out of my head, which was crushed from hitting the wall..