Chapter Fifty-Two: Spirit Formula
Monday
1:06 P.M.
England
Westminster - The National Gallery.
It was the first time he had ever set foot inside a museum.
And it was nothing short of impressive.
The ceilings rose high overhead, supported by pale stone and soft lighting.
Wide halls stretched in every direction.
The walls were lined with paintings from different eras and styles.
Visitors clustered around certain pieces, murmuring quietly.
"How is it?"
"It's my first time being here, it is impressive."
He brought a hand up to his chin as he considered the space.
Then answered the girl beside him.
"It's my first time here. It's impressive."
Cecile O'Brien.
That was her name.
And in the short time they had spent together, he had already confirmed what she was.
…a wizard.
More than that, she was reasonably competent.
Still, 'They're sloppy. Their wave pattern is several times above average at best.'
'But nnh, I can take them on easily.'
He could tell by the analysis of her brain waves.
To put it into comparison.
A normal human's brainwaves followed a relatively stable rhythm.
While its different from person to person, it is coherent across a stabilized pattern.
On the other hand.
A wizard's brainwaves are distorted due to the constant use of a Realizer.
They're nothing short of a mess, and several times more unstable than a normal person's.
Finally, there was the Morgan and Artemisia tier.
Yes, a tier solely reserved for the screwed over screwed.
Theirs was far worse.
It is to such a point that—
Under ordinary circumstances.
Someone with their neural pattern shouldn't even be conscious.
In fact, they shouldn't even be able to even walk straight.
However, thanks to mana, and the Realizer that had completely fused with him—
…he was able to function normally.
Artemisia, on the other hand, simply exists.
She—the lion—does not concern herself with how screwed her brain waves are.
In a way, one could argue that she was better than Morgan in that aspect.
However, because wizards are usually putting immense stress on their brains.
It could affect them in ways that could either be a blessing or a curse.
Morgan's enhanced perception was one such byproduct.
Though he rarely relied on it.
Even Maya's fear induction was another.
A subconscious interference with the brainwaves of others.
That being said.
Regardless, she was not at the level where he would need to be wary of her.
With that in mind, he let her lead him on.
Not to mention.
It seemed like she also had a reason even for accompanying him as of now.
Might as well see where this goes…
He thought.
"I see. If I remember correctly, you lived in America for some time right?"
While saying that.
The three started moving around while occasionally coming to a stop in front of art pieces.
"Mhm. I lived there alone for quite some time, until I moved to Japan roughly a month ago."
Raising his head slightly,
As though he were in deep thought, he said that casually.
Not that he particularly had a deep interest in art.
Well, actually, he did, but his aesthetics in art were different from what was here.
Certainly, saying that would earn the displeasure of many people.
In spite of that,
Morgan could tell the emotion from the painting the painter was trying to convey.
[ACC No: NG25]
• [Saint John the Baptist seated in the Wilderness]
• [Early 17th century]
Wait, huh…?
Morgan froze upon seeing a particular painting.
He looked at it again, tilting his head left and right while staring at the painting.
"...this."
Originally, he had concluded that religion in this world was not a thing.
After all, one of the things he was most curious about was the Spirit Formula.
In simple terms,
The formula for the Sephiroth and Kabbalah Tree of Life.
It was what Westcott used when creating [Deus]. And if he thought deeply about it…
'Which would mean that book must surely exist too.'
The Book of 777.
After all, its contents are in close relation to the Spirit Formula.
It was also clear that the Sephiroth Tree of Life was the formula used.
Now obviously, he didn't think that just attaining the formula—
And gathering Realizers to spawn an Angel would be as easy as it sounds.
First off,
Several forces wouldn't sit idly by.
Not Ratatoskr, not DEM, and definitely not [Deus] herself.
In addition,
Considering what happened when one was created, that was also another problem.
Attaining heaven in Pucci-style might not be too far off, but it was a damn wait.
That is why, all the more,
Reaching the Neighboring World was ideal.
He already had in mind what sort of Angel he wanted to create.
Now there was even an added reason to go there.
To create an Angel, and to help Kurumi resolve her toxic friendship with her Inverse.
"Seems like you're interested in that painting."
Morgan blinked.
Ah yes, he had a tour guide here, didn't he?
Regardless, he didn't entirely lose his cool; he simply calmly turned to her.
"Yes, the person depicted on it and the description, it feels like there's something symbolic about it."
Nein.
In the first place, Morgan knew exactly what was being depicted in the image.
He was a Christian in his past life.
But—
"If I recall correctly."
Cecile motioned her head towards the painting, though she couldn't see it.
The person behind her, Leonora, had whispered what was there for her.
"He's one of the past historical figures, someone depicted to be a messenger from God."
"Just like Jeanne d'Arc. The Saint of Orléans."
So, that's how religion was depicted here.
Morgan thought.
There wasn't a clear definition that this world was built on said foundation.
It was perfectly reasonable that anomalies like this would happen.
"Mmhm. I see."
For a moment,
He also thought about asking about that guy, that famous, rather, infamous person.
But then again…
Morgan decided against it.
It was best to keep that under wraps for now, and maybe later, he would do his own investigation.
That seemed plausible for now.
'Seems like I have yet another goal to pursue while I'm here.'
Morgan tilted his head, his hand still holding his chin.
Then he idly tilted his head as he unknowingly glanced at the blonde girl, Cecile.
'...Hm. I can fix her.'
Not in that sense.
But rather, her eyes and legs.
He had a feeling he could fix them.
Using mana, he felt such a thing was possible…?
Not that he was entirely sure.
Regardless, it'd be strange if he offered to use her as a test subject.
'Maybe when all this is over, I'll give it a try… look for a test subject.'
Several plans were beginning to form in his head when—
"Mm? What's the matter?"
Cecile questioned with a tilt of her head to the side, sensing his gaze linger on her.
"Ah, pardon me, I was lost in thought."
"Is that so?"
Cecile raised her head slightly.
In the end, she let it pass.
To even think she'd come across this person like this.
Even to the point that Cecile herself couldn't believe it.
Sinclair Morgan.
The elder brother of Ashley, and by extension a relative of one of DEM's top agents.
Did he come to England with Maya?
No, that's not the case.
According to Ashley, they've been apart for some time.
Morgan himself confirmed so.
Stating he'd pretty much stayed in America his whole life.
That meant… he came here on his own.
Cecile concluded.
"W-what should we do? S-should we tell Ash?"
Leonora, behind her, lowered her head slightly, whispering that under her breath.
They were a few meters apart from Morgan.
And since he wasn't focused on them, he couldn't hear them.
However, Cecile replied.
"Let's wait. We don't know how such news would affect her training."
Slowly, her relaxed closed eyes seemed to tighten.
Even with a whisper, one could still feel that tone filled with anger.
"If we want to succeed, it's best we lay low for the meantime."
Cecile whispered back while Leonora subtly nodded.
Despite her cold-looking face and all, in reality, she was a much more timid person.
Finally then, as though noticing something wrong,
Morgan glanced over.
That feeling of animosity couldn't have been clearer to him.
'...'
Ignoring his Doakes-like attitude for the meantime, he felt his phone vibrate.
"Just in time, huh?"
Morgan took his phone out, switching it on. Beta displayed a notification.
«Silver Lance Prototype Carrier has finished docking»
He had given the blueprints of the device to them since about yesterday morning.
And he had taken flight around yesterday nighttime to arrive here in the morning.
Which meant…
They must have finished the prototype shortly after he left.
As much as he would have loved to use a Realizer to teleport it,
It was a process he didn't want to go through now.
Put simply, it's an action as good as him exposing himself.
"Ladies, it seems like I would have to go now. I have something urgent to attend to."
"Oh? That's no problem at all."
Cecile's brows relaxed, turning to him with a tilt of her head.
Naturally, she was curious about what came up, but she wasn't a meddler.
"Alright, thank you. Ahh—"
Raising his hand curtly, he was about to leave when it struck him.
He spun back.
"How about we exchange contacts? I would like to invite you out for a treat as thanks."
Leonora froze, eyeing Cecile.
That probably wouldn't be a good idea. A lot of reasons… also included.
And—
"You needn't go through all that trouble."
Leonora heaved a short sigh of relief.
'For a moment there, I thought her leader was going to accept.'
Her grip on the push handle tightened, then softened.
With the way she had been interacting with him,
Leo was strongly convinced.
Oddly, she felt nothing good would come out of involving themselves with him.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Cecile.
Far from it.
Leo could trust Cecile with her life; it was simply that guy.
Hopefully, he would give up and—
"No, no, it's not any trouble."
Morgan suddenly added that. Damn it! How assertive.
Talk about invasion of space.
Cecile thought the same too.
She paused for a moment, recalling something.
They weren't entirely clueless about the situation of their friend.
And her description of her brother…
"Well, if you say so then."
Shaking her head, she finally accepted, then motioned her head to Leo at her back.
You've gone and done it.
The girl sadly thought.
But she complied, inputting Cecile's private line before returning it.
"Alright, thanks for today."
"It's no problem. By the way, do you know your way over?"
Morgan waved, turning away.
"Don't worry, I've got the address locked in."
Saying that, he then walked further down the hall before ultimately disappearing into the crowds.