Episode 876 Festival Consultation (1)
Life, having fallen from being an Obsidian-ranked adventurer in the Adventurers’ Guild to a broker of the underworld, held neither glory nor even the slightest sense of fulfillment.It was merely like a filthy mud pit.
However, I didn’t really have any particular thoughts.
So what about the underworld?
A world where the strong reign over the weak is the true nature of the world. The shadows are merely more blatant, while the light pretends to be more respectable.
In that sense, the shadows were actually more comfortable.
Because you can make a profit while making trash and vermin fight. And even if you are inside a well, you can still feel like the strong one.
Then, unwittingly provoking a hidden transcendent being, I was dragged out of the well… but living underneath it turned out to be surprisingly not bad.
From the snake’s head to the dragon’s tail.If you’re lucky, from the dragon’s tail to the back.
Even if one cannot become a true strongman, one can come infinitely close to it. After all, isn’t this world not meant to be lived alone?Broker.Cerlo Broden realized this truth only after experiencing it firsthand.
“Broker, you son of a bitch──”
Trash with its trachea and spine severed by a single stroke tumbles across the floor. Not a single drop of blood or oil stained the long sword.
Serlo let out a deep breath and wielded his sword like a cane. The men dying while screaming and shouting came into his sight.
That’s quite a rewarding sight.
This is Unford, a city on land connecting the city-state of Kylians and southern Del Harun.
It is a common stopover when traveling to Del Harun without using a ship.Del Harun is socially barren, so its population is small compared to other gateway cities, but there is still a considerable flow of people due to its location between regions.
Delharun, which was the domain of the Empress—the transcendent being who killed the Water King three centuries ago—is currently a livable nation as long as one has connections with the feudal lords.
Delharun was excluded from the international community because the Empress stained the negotiations between beastmen and humans with blood during the interspecies war and failed to atone for it.Consequently, the structure of politics and power became even more closed off.
Just as one cannot become a lord on ownerless land, an outsider can rise rapidly to power if they win the favor of local influential figures.It is like a snake’s den where bodies become entangled and intertwined, forming a single mass.
That was also the reason the Blood Alliance selected a city in southern Delharun as the venue for the meeting. It allowed them to ensure safety while minimizing external intervention.It was the best choice. Theonly thing they overlooked was that the Transcendent One had come to attack the Blood Alliance in person.
However, as Mauler unified the northern and southern parts of Delharun and established his territory, Delharun regained its right to stand on the world stage.
In other words… … .
Delharun could be a land of opportunity.
Since it is a newly emerged force, there must still be plenty of room. After all, the forces of the Transcendents are the ruling power of the world.Above all, there is a powerful Transcendent capable of standing against Eon.
Figures from the underworld, reflecting on their past conduct and concluding that they had violated the dignity of the intelligent life, needed a shield to protect their lives.
He originally intended to rely on the Blood Alliance, but they were no match for Eon. The assassination attempt on the Phase failed miserably, and instead, they suffered heavy losses.Furthermore, recently, most of the executives have been attempting to control the underworld without revealing themselves. And yet, Eon’s blade is right at their throats!
So, they urgently changed direction.
After formally entering Delharun, he intended to meet with the feudal lords loyal to Delharun and secure their protection in exchange for a massive price.He had made thorough preparations in his own way,for if he were to displease Mauler by even the slightest, there would be nowhere left to run.
however.
Sadly, the more desperate one is, the wider the cracks are bound to become. Especially when one’s life hangs in the balance, one’s vision is bound to narrow.It is the perfect moment for a scheme.To the broker who had survived the underworld using eloquence rather than brute force, they were nothing more than easy and delicious prey.
“That’s the work of a broker who killed all the Great Lords of the East and even stabbed the Confederate States in the back.”
The Ruler, Rateon Offniel, came up to the rooftop and monitored the situation together with Serlo. Eon’s enforcement unit moved autonomously.
The Mercenary King laughed heartily in the center.
“Indeed, those are eyes overflowing with ambition. Yes, back then, youth was everything.”
Bang!
He bent his body to the extreme to dodge the spears thrusting from four directions.He swept his legs across the ankles of four men in a circular motion. He slashed the bellies of two men with sword energy, and grabbed a spear floating in the air to swing it and slash the necks of two others.
“Uh, get out of the Unpod!”“You fucking bastards! If you guys get out, ugh!”
Phew.
Leaving behind the scream of the warrior whose heart had been pierced by the Mercenary King’s spear, some mages cast
Prominence
Spiral
Fifth-rank fire magic and air magic formed a firestorm. The wizards of the underworld, who were slow to react, fell, charred black.
Bang! Crash!
One section of Unford became a battlefield.
That place was a trap where a broker lured violators of Eon’s commandments through sophisticated information manipulation. All civilians were sent to another location.
“I practically dealt with the Great Lord of the East myself, but I never stabbed the Southern Alliance in the back. I just gave up halfway.”“If my judgment had been just a little less sharp, I would be lying down with those bastards.”
Serlo chuckled.
“You should act your age. Besides, aren’t you just as much a succumb to power? Before Eon even rose to prominence, the Ruler, one of the four powerhouses of the Central Continent, had fallen under the control of the Northern Lordless Lands.”“Don’t treat me the same way. Unlike you, I was formally invited.”
Although he was crushed after challenging Verden, it is true that a Transcendent being personally sought out Lateon and offered him a proposal to join forces. Hissituation was different from that of Serlo, who had barely managed to survive with his life held hostage after getting caught red-handed trying to pull a stunt without knowing anything.
That was the case at first, but I was eventually persuaded as well. Anyway. Though we may come from different backgrounds, as fellow riders on the dragon’s back, I look forward to working with you.
Rateon asserted.
“Who would be satisfied with just the back of a dragon?”“You’re supposed to dream big. Let’s finish the work first and then head back. We need to make sure Delharun doesn’t even have a chance to intervene.”“Hmph, I’m not sure if they have the luxury to do that.”
Mauler is keeping a watchful eye on the Ruas Church regarding the matter of the Glory of the Dead. Moreover, agenda items passed at the World Conference are currently underway elsewhere.Unless the matter involves an intrusion into Delharun’s territory, there would be no room to react to every single issue.
“Still, it is best to avoid stirring up trouble. You stay here. And make sure to report back to Lord Verden later.”
Rateon placed his foot on the railing, holding a metal shield with blood-stained edges. As he put his weight on it, the railing bent, and his body floated in the air.
“I am the very shield of Eon.”
Rateon landed in the middle of the battlefield and began to overwhelmingly eliminate the enemies. Serlo, watching his retreating figure, shook his head.
“When it comes to ambition, you’re at the pinnacle.”
* * *
The discussion on the exploration of Hiaremar, agreed upon at the World Conference, took place in the Iderat Federation.
Magic Autonomous Alliance.Delharun.Arnach Empire.The Nine Great Magic Towers excluding the Lefragium Tower.Theocracy of Luas.Iderat Confederation.Adventurer’s Guild.Arcenad Magic Kingdom.Highlandia.Great Beastman Tribe.Temple.Gargant.Eon.
There are a total of thirteen factions and nations directly participating in the exploration.Following the conclusion of these discussions, intercontinental trade negotiations, exploration of the Magic Realm, and plans for the additional development of marine magic stone mines will proceed sequentially at intervals of a few days.
The venue will be the same in the Federation,but the members of the meeting will differ.
“…….”
Medrant Keden, the twelfth Aspect of Eon, proudly claimed a seat representing both Eon and the Ostea Magic Tower.Since his identity had been revealed at the World Council, there was no longer any need to conceal his background.
Even though he is one of the founders of the Society, other magic towers view him with neutral or friendly eyes instead of hostility.
I can’t get used to it.
It feels like just yesterday that we were looked down upon as the lowest-ranked magic tower. Among them, the gaze of the Tower Master of the Volcanic Island was particularly burdensome.
“Haha. Seeing you again after attending the world conference, I feel like I’m growing fond of you. I took charge of the overall proceedings this time, so I would appreciate your understanding even if I fall short.”
Teriwen, the Senate President of the Iderat Alliance, personally presided over the meeting. Befitting a representative figure advocating for harmony among multiple races, he gave off a benevolent impression of being a true peace-lover.
As Medrant listened to Teriwen’s ceremonial speech, he thought.
According to the information Verden brought back from the deep sea along with that strange intelligence, the annular solar eclipse will begin in a few tens of days.
The realization of the prophecy claimed by the Iderat Alliance Leader together with Lennon Bernard is imminent. If both are true, the whereabouts of the Dragon Sword would soon be revealed.
But, are we really the only ones who know that?
Since the Black Sea, residing in Eon’s territory, has sent a letter regarding the matter, the Adventurer’s Guild is undoubtedly aware of it.But what about the other forces?
The information Verden obtained came from the outside, not the inside. We cannot rule out the possibility that it leaked to other places as well.
Furthermore, there may be someone who, like Verden, determined the date of the annular solar eclipse through a source other than the deep sea.
‘indeed…….’
Medrant’s task is not merely to successfully conclude the meeting.According to what he heard from Verden… … it is also his duty to uncover the hidden intentions behind why the Dragon Sword, the weapon of the ancient king, has revealed itself to the outside world at this particular time.
Terry One raised his voice.
Now that we have finished our introductions, let us begin the meeting to explore the Hiaremar Inland Sea in order to locate the Dragon Sword Magras.
* * *
[Hello. I am Alpha. This is the Centrum of the Arkenad Magic Kingdom.]
[This is Beta. I visited Centrum to discuss the Magic Festival, but an unexpected situation occurred. What are your thoughts on this?]
Levana, who was asked questions by the two artificial golems as if she were having an interview, flinched, rolled her eyes around, and then cautiously opened her mouth.
“Oh no, this is a disaster?”
[Please provide other expressions as well.]
“Uh… impossible to fix?”
[thank you.]
Beta, carrying Alpha on its head, moved on all fours like a gorilla.
[This is a disaster. It is beyond repair. This is the opinion of Eon’s Sixth Phase. What do you think of the current situation, Your Majesty Verden?]
Verden spoke calmly.
I am thinking about it right now.
[Your Majesty Verden. Serious. Failed to change the mood.]
A sparring match with Vangelis… After completing the verification of the
“As expected, it seems difficult to resolve this. Since they don’t seem to have even the slightest intention of listening to the Lord’s explanation anyway, why don’t we just go along with it?”“Adrian is right. No matter how much we explain, they glare at us like that, insisting, ‘The Lord is of great blood! He’s the bloodline of the Demon King! He’s family!’ What can we do when they act like that? The responsibility for this misunderstanding lies entirely with them. Huh? Who would have known the Lord’s
Isabella shrugged her shoulders.
“And if you look at the relationship between the first Demon King and the Head of the Family, they are practically blood relatives.”
[Alpha. His Majesty Verden. Family.]
Alpha placed the mini golem’s short hand on the back of Verden’s hand. Beta followed his brother’s lead and placed his arm over it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.For reference, information regarding the administrator and the artificial golem is a top secret.
Levana quietly kept her mouth shut, thinking that something very significant was being said.
Verden said as he patted Alpha and Beta on the head.
“Right… now that things have turned out this way, there is no way to turn them around. It is my undeniable mistake. I would at least like to maintain the status quo, but as long as the truth cannot be revealed, the misunderstanding will only deepen. Isabella, the same goes for you.”“Huh? Me?”“Because your roots are here.”
Isabella recalled the Deiros family, whom she had momentarily forgotten. The blood of a prestigious family from the Magic Kingdom flows through her.
“oh.”
* * *
Medrail personally guided us to the banquet hall at Centrum.
“…The Deiros family, you mean?”
Medrail looked back and forth between Isabella and Verden in surprise.
Verden had originally planned to reveal Isabella’s origins in order to obtain information about the Deiros family, but due to the bloodline verification, the result ended up being slightly more off than expected.
“A prestigious family from the Magic Kingdom unjustly expelled in the past…… and the new bloodline of the Magic King…… The inevitable meeting of such two people……?”
Medrail held his breath.
The narrative……!
That grandfather, that granddaughter.
As the misunderstanding deepened to a new level, Verden and his party arrived at the banquet hall.
