Genius Warlock-Episode 678
678. shrift (3)
“open the door.”
The nun, sworn to silence, pulled the lever with her slender arms..
My arm was shaking as if it was stiff, but it was only when the nun put her body fully on it that the lever was released..
dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd-!!
There was a dull sound of an old machine moving, and huge cogs could be seen moving through a gap in the wall..
After a while, a huge circular piece of metal reminiscent of a safe split to the left and right..
What you see beyond the open safe door is endless darkness..
The nun, who had taken a vow of silence, spoke to Merlin through sign language..
In short, it means that you can no longer guide yourself..
Since it was something he already knew, Merlin nodded. She met him and she didn't even want to go with someone..
After quick communication, the nun held out the lantern she was holding to Merlin..
It was an item that Merlin, who could use magic, did not need, but he accepted the lantern obediently..
This is Seonghwangcheong, the root and heart of Paterism..
It was against etiquette to use magic except when it was truly necessary..
“Thank you. But will it be okay??”
This means, is it okay if I give you my one and only lamp?.
The nun responded in sign language that it was okay. I know everything about the geography of this place.
Well, cutting off my tongue for security wasn't enough, I spent my whole life underground where there wasn't a single ray of sunlight, so I could have gone with my eyes closed..
As proof, there was not a single dust in this deep basement..
This means that they came and cleaned every day..
However, as if the inside of the prison had not been maintained, a lot of dust was visible when the lamp was illuminated..
It was a place to imprison terrible criminals... no, it was a place to seal them, so it wasn't unreasonable..
Jeez. Jeez. Jeopuk.
Merlin, who was looking around near the entrance, held out his lantern and went deeper inside..
The interior was too large to fit the description of a prison, there were countless chains hanging from the ceiling, and untouched dust was visible on the walls and floor..
The only sound is the clanking of chains in time with Merlin's footsteps..
With the sound of the chains in the background, Merlin went in for a while and was soon able to see it..
Oliver, who was sitting in the deepest dungeon, deep inside.
It looked almost like a corpse. corpse wrapped in chains.
It seemed even more so because he showed no reaction even when Merlin came..
However, Merlin was not particularly surprised..
After Rossburn's death, the only time Oliver opened his mouth was when he revealed his identity to Armand..
It wasn't just about not talking..
Monitored through countless chains hanging from the ceiling, Oliver was not sleeping, eating, or even defecating..
Just sitting there holding the quarter staff without doing anything that is necessary for a human being..
Merlin looked at Oliver silently..
He did not hide his face with a leather mask like in the past, nor did he hide his bleached white hair with dye..
I just stare at the floor in silence with empty eyes.
It was like a living corpse..
However, the corpse brought pressure and fear that no one could understand..
It evoked a primal fear, like a cliff with no end in sight or a night sea with no land in sight..
It wouldn't have been unreasonable for the cardinal priests up there to all be screaming for death..
Whether you are a religious person, an aristocrat, or a businessman, you are ultimately a person. Because people had a way of excluding things they couldn't understand..
Of course, Merlin was only human, so he understood how they felt..
Nevertheless, Merlin opened his mouth..
Because it was his job.
“long time no see······.”
Oliver was silent..
“Well, you might not know. Because I've always been here. Isn’t it uncomfortable??”
Oliver was silent..
“Actually, it's been a while outside. It's been a year since the sun rose and set. Quite a lot has happened in the meantime. The world is getting busier.”
Oliver was silent..
“First of all, the first thing to tell you is news about Landa. Because it’s the city we live in. Coincidentally, Landa was invaded..”
Oliver was silent..
“What's even more surprising is that it was attacked by just one person. The largest and richest city in the world. Can you guess??”
Oliver was silent..
“······We've been invaded by none other than puppets. Using the Landa sewer, they led an endless army of the dead and attacked all of Landa simultaneously. Not only the slums but also major administrative agencies, businesses, and organizations were hit hard. Magic Tower, various companies, and even shady organizations like Crime Firm. It is said that the Magic Tower suffered the most damage. Almost to the point of destruction. Thanks to this, Randa’s arrogant nose was greatly reduced..”
Oliver was silent..
“However, I personally don't think it's Landa's fault. It was not because Landa was weak and foolish, but because the opponent was too strong and persistent..”
Oliver was silent..
“As you probably know, puppets are monsters that have survived for hundreds of years. Compared to his history, Landa's history is fleeting. If a puppet like that is determined, it goes without saying that even Landa doesn't have the talent to deal with it. The amount of power that Puppet has accumulated over the past hundreds of years is beyond even me as an archiver, and since he pathologically enjoys collecting information, he must be aware of all of Randa's weaknesses. I can guarantee that Landa City and the Magic Tower will also have his eyes and ears..”
Oliver was silent..
“Don't worry too much though. Because there was no destruction. Instead, they are having trouble with their autonomy because of the kingdom's army that came to support them... Aren’t you curious??”
Oliver was silent, just like before..
I didn't ask if my friend or acquaintance who lives in Landa was okay..
The only thing that responds to Merlin's words is the heavy chain hanging from the ceiling..
Oliver was even more unresponsive than the chains..
At that fact, Merlin felt quiet and calm despair..
It would have been better if he had been angry or even sarcastic..
Perhaps, even if someone shows up with a knife and tries to stab his heart, Oliver will remain silent..
Knowing that, the cardinal priests are probably screaming to kill Oliver..
They can't do anything on their own, so let's end it now while they're calm..
Because I know that if I miss this opportunity, there will be no second chance..
Maybe Oliver wanted that too..
Even though intense mental shock cannot directly take one's life, it can take away one's will to live..
Merlin also knew because he experienced it..
The karma of knowing too much.
But just like then, Merlin refused to give up even in his despair now..
Because he didn't even have the right to give up.
That's why Merlin spoke again..
I hope that the being in front of me will listen..
“The warlocks you saved... They all ran away. Refugee warlocks in the center of the continent..”
Oliver was silent..
“I took advantage of the confusion and ran away. The Allied Forces in the Central Continent, from the command staff to the lowest soldiers, were all mentally traumatized and had a hard time protecting themselves. So...hwiik, he went away.”
Merlin threw up one hand as if he was swatting away a piece of paper..
“I guess they're just spreading what they saw to the world behind it. The Pater Church is trying to suppress it, and the listeners are also skeptical and don't react that way right now, but it will end soon. In the end, the truth comes out. The only problem is time.”
Oliver was silent..
“FYI, Sir Joanna is currently in custody..”
Merlin remembered that time..
When Oliver revealed his identity and told them to capture him..
The paladins and servants there were quietly shocked, and Armand looked at Oliver in silence and bound him with chains of penitence tempered with holy water..
Then Joanna screamed and roared..
Paladin to Paterism.
I probably would have brandished the weapon if Kevin hadn't stopped me..
“He is currently detained and being investigated on charges of hostility and insult to the cardinal priest. But it'll be okay. It's a credit to me, and Paterism has no intention of making this a big deal. They'll probably leave it alone until the fever subsides and then dispatch it to an appropriate location. To a place like the New World or a colony there. Paladins are needed there too. I know why?”
Merlin asked.
Oliver was silent..
“······It looks like there are devil worshipers in the New World as well. Isn’t it funny??”
Oliver was silent..
“Apparently, it was said that we spread Paterism along with civilization... Love, tolerance, forgiveness. However, the colonized people are learning hatred, rejection, and revenge. Do you know why they worship the devil? It's for revenge..”
Oliver was silent..
“To take revenge on the invaders who came for unsolicited help... Actually, it's a natural procedure. How can those who invaded with guns and swords spread proper civilization, and how can those who serve as its vanguard spread love, tolerance, and forgiveness? They may feel that way but they are not the recipient at all.”
Oliver was silent..
“What they feel is humiliation. There would be nothing but loss, anger, hatred, and a desire for power. Of course, the places they can go are decided. Isn’t it ironic??”
Oliver was silent..
“Clearly, this is the most prosperous and prosperous era in human history. The numbers and graphs say so. However, at the same time, it is also the most festering time. To a dangerous degree. But would you believe it if there was someone who had already predicted this situation??”
Oliver was silent..
“That’s right, the archive. The Archive knew that the world would become like this after a certain period of time. Because the archive exists to prevent such things... But I didn't know that. I just thought of the archive as the pinnacle of magic, a great archmage, a sage who oversees all knowledge..”
Oliver was silent..
“When I was young, I wanted to be that archive. I thought I was a genius and liked to prove it. Of course, I thought I should be the archive. I'm saying that's the right thing to do. If I become an archive, it will be a good thing for the world..”
“······Is that why you did that??”
Oliver spoke for the first time..
The voice was so weak and somber that it sounded like a corpse speaking, but it still made Merlin smile and rejoice..
Anyway, didn't his prayers work??
“······That's right. I accumulated knowledge to prove that I was suitable for the archive. Knowledge that even archives would admire. Well, I think you'll nominate me as the next archive, I've accumulated knowledge by any means necessary..”
Merlin paused for a moment..
It wasn't because I wanted to see Oliver's reaction, it was because I was speechless..
The slight vibration on his always relaxed face told me this..
“I was worried. What is the greatest knowledge in the world? I was able to find it soon... human.”
Merlin, who had been maintaining a certain distance from Oliver, took a step forward..
“Because humans are God's greatest creation. Also, if you study that creature, you will be able to escape the curse of aging and the shackles of death that wizards dreamed of, and build infinite power and knowledge..”
Merlin took a step closer again..
“After setting a goal, I immediately started researching. Because there was enough money and influence. First, I decided to thoroughly dissect people, regardless of age or gender, in order to fully understand the human structure. Alive. Every blood vessel, every muscle, every bone was dissected..”
Merlin took a step closer again..
“And to find out how the human body reacts, we put all kinds of diseases, poisons, and foreign substances into their bodies. Because I thought that was also necessary to become a perfect being..”
Merlin took a step closer again..
“As knowledge accumulated, I became arrogant as much as the accumulated knowledge. Later, I thought I wanted to create humans. It seemed like it would be more economical to create a new, perfect body than to maintain an old body, and above all, if you could create a human being, it would be an achievement comparable to that of God. So pregnant women, fetuses in their wombs, and newborn babies were also used as test subjects..”
Merlin took a step closer again..
“However, I soon realized that it wasn't enough. The body was a vessel, and more important was the content, that is, the soul. So I experimented on the soul as well. How much stimulation will the soul react to and change, become stronger, or be destroyed? We studied whether we could use it if it were destroyed..”
Merlin took a step closer again..
“For this purpose, we gathered new test subjects. Innocent people with ordinary families, friends, and lovers. Since they were ordinary people anyway, I thought it would be meaningful to become fertilizer for the development of humanity. Actually, I achieved a lot of results..”
Merlin took a step closer again..
“Then one day the archive discovered my research. To my surprise, he approved of my research. 'Cause he gave me a long-awaited spot in the archives.”
Merlin took a step closer again..
Merlin stopped. Oliver was right in front..
“Do you know what process the archive goes through??”
Oliver was silent..
Merlin explained without hesitation..
“All you have to do is touch the body and let the archive express its will. Then, whether you want it or not, the vast knowledge of the archive will reside in the subject..”
Merlin got down on one knee and was eye level with Oliver..
“It's a very mystical experience. Knowledge comes directly into your head. At the same time, it is also a painful process. Because knowledge as vast as the ocean came in without any filtering. If you make a mistake, you may not be able to withstand the vast amount of knowledge and it may put a strain on your brain. The reason why the most outstanding wizards of each era became archives may be because they couldn't bear anything less than that. Isn’t it fun??”
Merlin joked, but Oliver didn't react..
just listen.
“Of course, I was happy about that too. That level of pain wasn't a big deal for my goal. Rather, it was sweet. The archive that gave me all the knowledge also said that. That wouldn't be a big deal to me, because the real pain would come later. That was true.”
Merlin grabbed both of Oliver's sleeves..
“Because as soon as the joy of becoming an archive and the admiration for its vast knowledge ended, I realized it. That the people I sacrificed for knowledge were people like me. A lot of knowledge has been revealed to me.”
Merlin's hands were shaking. She felt a slight vibration..
“The reason I didn't feel like they were people wasn't because I was outstanding, it was just because I was stupid. It was only then that I realized why archives do not record their generations in numbers and why quite a few archives end their lives by suicide. They didn't want to be remembered. They are sinners.”
Merlin's hands were shaking more and more, and his voice was shaking along with it..
Merlin's voice, which had always been relaxed and strong, sounded like that of an old man for the first time..
A voice that is weak and full of regret.
Merlin begged, no, begged..
“Do you know why archives are such sinners? ······Please, ask.”
“············Why??”
“Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to handle this job. We cannot bear the promised end, the fate that will come due to our innate nature. I can't bear it if I don't have a sense of guilt.”
Merlin said.
The true mission of the archive.
That it is the sentinel of the promised end. And in order to handle that task, you need a sense of guilt that goes beyond simple responsibility..
Washing away one's sins by taking care of one's karma. Because that's the only way I can endure it.
“Isn't it funny? What is needed to carry out the most important task is not a sense of responsibility or mission, but a sense of guilt... Maybe the invitation archive knows. In order to stay sane in the face of an impending end, guilt, not responsibility, is more effective. By the crude will of man.”
Merlin withdrew his visibly shaking hands and washed them dry. She heard it for the first time.
Wiping something, catching your breath.
I couldn't see properly because I had my face down..
Merlin stayed like that for a while, then began speaking again with a steady breathing sound..
“I ran away... It became an archive and I ran away from the magic tower. I hope the end doesn't come at my time. Because the end will judge sinful me, and sinful humanity will also be judged. I ran away. 'Cause there's nothing I can do······.”
Merlin looked up..
With red bloodshot eyes and a flushed face.
He said.
“And then I met you.”
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