#504

Interim Summary (8)

How the information regarding Amrita's death significantly increased the adjustment coefficient.

And why Lennok could not reveal that fact—this is something to naturally infer and accept.

At least from this point onward, Lennok would no longer be subject to suspicion or interrogation.

"An interesting story," said Maya, smiling as she dusted her hands lightly behind Logia’s back.  

“If you think about it that way, we can also speculate why the adjustment coefficient reached level 8.”

"...Maya, what do you mean?"

"What if the significant adjustment wasn't from Amrita's death itself, but from the circumstances of how she died?"

"...."

Maya muttered quietly, paying no attention to Doctor's words.  

"If the causal link of the old world, which was thought to have completely ended, is still ongoing, then it wouldn’t be meaningless..."

‘Sharp,’ Lennok thought, though he did not show any reaction outwardly. Inwardly, he admired Maya's intuition.  

Her words accurately guessed the fundamental reason why Lennok revealed Amrita's death in this setting.

Amrita's death, though it involved a complicated process, ultimately boiled down to the fact that a high-level apostle obtained an immortality akin to the outer gods and then died.  

The dooms roaming the outer seas are unaffected by the cycles and destruction of the world.  

Thus, it’s clear that their actions have a close relationship with the causality of the old world.

Lennok had already recognized this, and therefore surmised that Amrita’s death, which stemmed from the actions of the outer gods, would affect the causality adjustment coefficient of the old world.

Even though Maya had no knowledge that the outer gods had temporarily gathered in the Far East Branch to select Lennok, she still deduced that the excessive volatility in causality might be related to events surrounding Amrita's death.  

It’s hard to believe that she reached such a conclusion from a single comment made by the Word sorcerer, Sabrina, after considering Lennok’s subtle nuances.  

One could say it was insight worthy of the best enforcer, as she was once regarded in the machine city of Machina.

Naturally, the others nodded in understanding as they grasped the meaning of Maya’s words.  

"So you're saying that the reason or method of Amrita’s death influenced the old world’s causality volatility."

"That makes sense, but still, the fact that Victor cannot explain it..."

"Without direct verification, it’s meaningless."

Soryu coldly interjected.  

"Rather than that, we should prepare for the upheavals that will occur across the continent due to Amrita’s death. If what you’re saying is true, the Cult's position on the central front will be greatly diminished."

"They said they'd reached a ceasefire agreement with the Union. If this news spreads, do you think the Union will react?"

"Not immediately. They'll weigh the balance between justification and practical benefit before making a decision. It’s a tricky issue."

"Soon, the news will spread far and wide. As soon as people notice that no devotees using apostolic sorcery are visible, suspicions will rise..."

"…So, the value of the information is dropping sharply compared to its importance, is that it?"  

"And yet, you managed to snag an adjustment coefficient of 8 with such information, huh?"  

"Are you sure it's your first time joining this settlement?"  

Only then did the members realize that Lennok had maximized his gains with information whose value would soon plummet, and their expressions became uneasy.  

The information that Amrita had died and that apostolic sorcery had been sealed off was shockingly valuable beyond words.  

However, the significance of that information was so important to the Cult that it couldn't be kept hidden for long, making it information that would soon be disclosed.  

Should they respect the ability to obtain such information ahead of Pandemonium, or should they be wary of his shrewdness in offloading it at the right time before it lost value?  

Though Lennok could vividly read these emotions, he smiled faintly behind his mask.  

After all, this was the very reason he had taken the time to participate in Pandemonium's midterm settlement.

"Well then, let's begin the settlement. Step forward, whoever wants to go first."  

"I'll go first."

At Doctor's words, Sabrina promptly stepped up to the statue she had touched earlier.  

As the statue's tightly clenched fist opened, several faded sheets of paper appeared from within.  

Following Sabrina, Logia and Chevien each retrieved their sheets in turn.  

Instead of joining them, Vernon stood beside Lennok, gulping down alcohol with a frustrated look on his face.

"Damn it. I was hoping to learn the recipe for 2nd-world liquor in this settlement… but because of that blasted filter!"  

Hadn't Vernon agreed to transfer his settlement rewards to Lennok in exchange for obtaining Lennok's filter?  

Now, as Lennok understood the true meaning of the settlement, he looked at Vernon.  

"To be precise, it feels like you exchange old-world information as compensation, corresponding to your causal adjustment coefficient."

"Of course! Why else would we go through all this nonsense?"  

Vernon shouted, reeking of strong alcohol.  

"My adjustment coefficient for this settlement wasn't that high, so I traded it in for your filter. Normally, I could’ve used it for much more valuable information!"

"Vernon, why are you telling a specialist something so irrelevant?" Sabrina mocked as she tucked away the papers she had gathered.  

"Mind your own business. And try not to die from running your mouth while drunk."

"Sabrina. What did you get this time?"  

"Are you crazy? Why would I tell you that?" Sabrina sneered sharply.

"Only fools like Vernon blabber about what they've received. The real pros keep their intentions hidden until the end."  

"Hah! Let me guess—it’s probably something like records on the language system or scripts of the old world."

"..."

Sabrina suddenly closed her mouth and looked away.  

Lennok glanced at her with a slightly pitiful look.  

Vernon chuckled as if he had expected it.  

"Well, it’s obvious what a Word sorcerer would want from old-world information. If it's not for some personal goal, it's surely something related to enhancing your own hierarchy."

"Oh?" Lennok smiled.  

"So, should I take your words to mean that your power is closely linked to alcohol?"

If Vernon’s statements weren’t an exception, his strange fondness for alcohol would also make sense.  

Thinking back, ever since Lennok had first encountered him, Vernon hadn’t stopped drinking even once.  

For someone who seems to love alcohol excessively, it was odd behavior.  

If drinking alcohol was somehow a condition that allowed him to unleash his full power, it would actually make sense.  

But Vernon, even in the face of Lennok’s sharp question, simply laughed.  

"Heh, is that how it sounds? Did I just spill a secret without realizing it?"  

"..."

"Just kidding. Of course, it’s related to that. You didn’t need to ask."  

Vernon chuckled again, while Lennok’s calm gaze shone through his mask.  

"For someone like me, it’s impossible to hide my condition or circumstances, so I find it more comfortable to be open about it."  

"It’d be strange if no one noticed a drunk wandering around."  

"Indeed…"

Lennok understood what Vernon and Sabrina were saying.  

In general, it’s preferable to hide one’s abilities or hierarchy, but if you possess a technique or microcosm that’s difficult to conceal in the first place, trying to hide it would be pointless.  

By openly displaying it, cautious individuals might even view it as a crafted weakness, making them more guarded.  

Lennok, who always struggled with concealing his identity, hierarchy, and status, found this perspective surprisingly relatable.

Perhaps noticing Lennok's somewhat vague reaction, Sabrina subtly glanced at him before quietly waving her fingers in his direction.

At the same time, faint arrays of letters extended from the tips of her fingers.

[In that sense, how about we exchange a bit more information?]

It seemed she had something to say that she didn’t want others to hear.

As Lennok silently observed, Sabrina formed another sentence by rearranging the existing letter array naturally.

[Information like the death of the 10th Apostle, Amrita. Honestly, that was quite shocking.]

"……."

[I personally need information that is both highly significant and volatile. If you know anything, I'd like to trade a bit more.]

It appeared that as the settlement was nearing its end, she wanted to take time aside to make a deal with Lennok.

While Lennok had anticipated that others might approach him, he hadn’t expected Sabrina to be the first.

Given that Word sorcerers can provide assistance in various fields, he thought they wouldn’t need help due to a lack of information.

Lennok quietly tapped a few of the letters in her array.

Instantly, the letters between Sabrina’s began to shift, forming a new reply.

[Before the settlement ends. You pick the place.]

Surprised that Lennok responded by manipulating her letters, she stared at him for a moment before nodding.

Meanwhile, Vernon, clueless about what was going on, picked his nose and asked,

"So, Victor. How do you want to use my share? Should I go ahead and get my settlement done first?"

"…No."

Lennok shook his head.

"I’ll use my adjustment coefficient first."

Vernon had submitted a relic from the old world, a fountain pen, which carried a 4th-level adjustment coefficient, while Lennok’s coefficient was at level 8.

Normally, it would make sense for Lennok to use Vernon’s 4th-level share first to gauge the process before proceeding with his own 8th-level settlement.

However, despite knowing this, Lennok stepped forward before Vernon.

He walked straight toward the statue. Neither Soryu, Maya, nor Hyulno had completed their settlements yet.

As the small creature rolling around atop the statue’s head noticed Lennok, Doctor’s eyes lit up.

"Come to think of it, unlike the others, you haven’t mentioned what you want. Would you care to explain briefly?"

"Go ahead."

"Alright. Basically, depending on the adjustment coefficient of the causal volatility you input, you receive corresponding knowledge or data from the old world. Think of it like a balance. Since you caused significant fluctuations in the data stored inside the statue, it stabilizes itself by returning an equivalent amount of data."

"……."

"For example, take Sabrina’s case. Her settlement involved ancient text arrays from the 1st world. These are closely related to the lifestyle and culture of a collapsed world, and though they aren’t difficult to gather through relics or information from the old world, they are incredibly useful for her."

Doctor’s eyes gleamed sharply.

"Conversely, what you request will reveal what your ultimate goal or the techniques you handle are. You’ll need to choose wisely."

"I understand."

"Do you need time to think?"

"No, let’s proceed."

Without hesitation, Lennok bent slightly in front of the statue’s eighth arm and infused it with magic once more.

As all eight of the statue's eyes opened at once, its eighth arm slowly extended toward Lennok.

Rumble...!!

The other members murmured as they watched from behind.

"The settlement is working properly. There’s no issue with the statue’s functionality after all."

"What does he plan to gain by using his 8th-level adjustment coefficient first?"

Only three 8th-level adjustment coefficients had appeared during this midterm settlement.

Lennok was going to consume all of it to acquire old-world information, of which even he had no knowledge.

He already knew exactly what he would ask for.

Creak...!!!

As Lennok stepped onto the statue’s hand and formed a seal with his fingers, clear letter arrays began to appear.