NOVEL NEXT Vol.11, Ch.359 – The Fate of Immeasurable Talent
In a laboratory somewhere, a genius CEO was plotting the full takeover of a planet. His eyes stared intently at the flickering lights upon the screen, highlighting hints of his great plans. Blueprints of robots, intricate machinery, and mysterious devices flashed before one could take in their complexity. Only those with such advanced knowledge could tell what they were, having helped design each and every one of them.
He swept his hair back and grinned, almost maliciously. It was such a joy to finally ‘see’ his creations firsthand, not just surmise their forms based on the mana flow around them. How he had missed the gleam of light upon metal and the vibrant colors of human artistry – death had granted him a new beginning. To innovate, to dominate, to-
“Hey, Lamps. Wipe that dumb grin off your face and get dressed. You have a summons to attend.”
A hand plopped on top of his head, and a mug of coffee thrust before him. Lamps gingerly took it and tried a sip.
“Splendid, just like back home. The cheap but fulfilling allure of Star-”
“Excuse me? I brewed it myself, and you dare to equate it to some manufactured concoction of modern society? Please. I didn’t sign up to be your secretary for that.”
Lamps eyed the woman before him. Long, blond hair draped over a tight fit uniform, making her look every bit the part of a successful entrepreneur. She had the threads that suggested that she was the one in charge, in contrast to the lab attire that Lamps wore. The scowl she shot him was rather cute, unable to mar the beautiful features of her face. He reached up and brushed his hand on her cheek, flawless unlike before.
Death had granted her reprieve as well, no longer the scarred existence that she once was. Here, his beloved Olivia appeared as charming as he had always imagined her to be. And he was no longer cursed with blindness. After losing such things for so long, it felt strange to be whole again. It gave him the courage to achieve even more than before. And after discovering so much that he didn’t know before…
“Hurry up. We don’t have all day,” Olivia rolled her eyes again. She had noticed how distracted Lamps had become after reawakening with his vision intact.
“A moment longer to savor life’s beauties won’t keep anyone.” Lamps picked up a portal gun and fired it. “Especially not when travel time has been made trivial.”
With mug in hand, Lamps sauntered through the portal, with Olivia trailing behind. The two of them were instantly before a fantasy-like castle, a contrast from the high-tech room that he was in before. They passed by some castle guards, who only barely looked at them before returning to their posts.
Despite being the famed ‘Genius of Purnesia’ and ‘Mad Empress’, these people were no longer enemies to them. Rather, a larger goal had come to their attention. And along with it, an intellectual curiosity that far exceeded the playgrounds of warfare that he was dabbling in before. This world had more secrets than he had expected, and finally, things had started to make some sense.
The memories of Grendosa and his relentless pursuit of creation – the drive to pursue the unknown suddenly became as clear as his restored vision. But there was one thing that was his own. The feelings he had for Olivia.
To make this world a place where they could finally live freely, he would take the gifts that had been passed down to him and channel it into this purpose.
The doors opened to a large throne room, the queen of this kingdom sitting before them. Approaching, Lamps and Olivia bowed before her. She had become an ally in the pursuit of their wishes.
“Greetings, Queen of Sistina. How can the great Lamps Magellan be of service to you?”
He had chosen to retain this name, a keepsake on behalf of his time with Olivia. He lifted his gaze to stare at the Inventor Queen, a mind supposedly as great as his. Certainly, he held a certain respect for one able to topple his creations, especially not being a denizen of the modern world. If someone like her had been his contemporary, then there would have been no doubt that he would be outmatched in his world. However, that no longer mattered. They had realized that the world had hid quite a lot from them, and now, they would use that knowledge to the fullest extent.
Katalina brought up a holographic keyboard, typing furiously for a moment before sending a floating screen towards Lamps and Olivia. Upon it, a group of idols were singing and dancing. It seemed very much like the normal workplace distraction that office workers immersed themselves in.
“Interesting tastes, your Highness. Or rather, I suppose we aren’t here to trade hobbies. These girls are someone you know, lost ones that have scattered across the world, I presume?”
“Correct, and the one leading them is an Electi. The two of you have barely crossed paths. The King of Macali, Koujiro of Proficiency, resides on Site 209 with his former wives. From their actions, it seems like only Koujiro is aware of their situation.”
The screen briefly flashed to Koujiro, who was looking on at stage side, a bittersweet expression upon his face. As more scenes played, it was apparent that he was keeping a wall between him and the ladies, easily disguised as ‘being professional’. Especially given how Katalina had known how loose his morals were, it felt purposeful that he was keeping such behavior in check.
“He regrets dragging them in and getting them killed. He’s fallen into a funk because of it, so it’s up to us to pull him out,” a voice suddenly appeared from the side.
A cloaked person walked out from behind a pillar, lifting back his hood to reveal a familiar face.
“Claude Evers. I was wondering when you would appear again,” Lamps said. “Not ruling this kingdom by the side of your cherished one?”
Eyes turned to Katalina, who looked resigned. She shook her head.
“There are tasks that only Claude can do. And if we hope to ever save this world, the planet of Leguardia, then I will give my support until the day that we are no longer in danger.”
“I suppose that our abilities are needed in this venture if we are being called here,” Lamp said, approaching. His steps were full of calculated charisma. “What will it be? Androids for espionage? Hacking for information wars? Or perhaps… you would like me to manipulate the site settings to give our target the confidence needed to regain his mojo?”
Claude burst out laughing, immediately recalling how they had met up. He had stumbled upon Lamps’ home site, triggering a bunch of intruder alarms. By the time he arrived, the entire area had been under Lamps’ control. It was a technological utopia, a place where its inhabitants were ruled under a benevolent empress and supported by the conveniences of modern society.
The citizens had grown confident in their leaders and their ability to boost the happiness of the populace, represented by stockholder ‘shares’ of trust in them. It didn’t help that the place was named ‘Lampstation’, which made Claude take notice immediately.
Despite the haven that had been created, Claude found himself facing off against an entire army of drones and robots, culminating in a fight with Lamps in an enhanced combat suit.
But even the great Lamps Magellan couldn’t get Claude to submit. He had become far stronger than their previous meeting. In Lamps’ eyes, Claude shone with a power and confidence that he never had before. There was no relying on surprises crafted from the specific abilities that Claude the Critical used to possess. Now, he strode forward, his strikes powerful without needing ‘critical hits’.
And finally, a battered Lamps with his suit nearly torn off looked up to see Claude’s extended hand. This time, there was nothing to prevent him from taking it. Olivia and he could see eye to eye with others, knowing that they had true allies amidst their ranks.
“Man, at least you didn’t come at me with some cheesy catchphrase, like ‘I am… whatever Man’!”
Katalina giggled at Claude’s outburst, quickly brushing that notion aside. She pointed a finger at Olivia.
“The person that we need help from is actually you. Your charm magic is required.”
Olivia stared back, dumbfounded. But that only lasted for a moment before her lips curled into a smile.
“Who do I need to woo?”
“The audience.”
A look of realization appeared on Olivia’s face as she put the pieces together for the plan. But before she could protest, several portals opened before them. Various girls stepped out and into the throne room. They were decked out in fancy, frilly outfits, much like those on the screen before. That only further confirmed Olivia’s guess.
Claude walked right in front of them, turning around to face Lamps and Olivia. He tore his mantle off with gusto, like he was a protagonist announcing his arrival in battle. Underneath, he wore a fitted suit and tie.
“You’ve probably guessed by now, but we’re going to fight Koujiro at his own game. An idol battle – our girls versus his. That will surely light a fire in him.”
Lamps shook his head before a fit of cackles overtook him. Seeing them all here, he could understand how he had lost the war back then.
“I suppose your whims are bold and interesting enough to appease this great entrepreneur! Very well, I shall delegate myself to being technical support, a stagehand for the shining stars before us. Let us see what else you have planned, Claude-, or perhaps, I should call you, Mr. C?”
“Ha ha, I don’t suppose you used to dabble in such things? Even your little city reeks of weebness.”
“A tech-focused businessman must have a broad portfolio. It may have happened to pique my interest for a sliver of time….”
Claude and Lamps reached forward for a handshake, securing the support of the great mind that once led Purnesia. Pretty soon, their preparations would be complete. Not just to retrieve the final piece in their set, but also, to take on the indomitable opponent that waited far, far away.