Episode 22

Spirito, the royal capital. As the capital of the Kingdom of Diabalet, the city was encircled by colossal walls. Those mighty ramparts had repelled monster incursions and enemy offensives time and again; as a fortress city, it ranked among the continent’s largest.

The Lords’ Council was scheduled to convene there.

Hiroto was to head to the capital as part of the Lords’ Council’s security detail. There were plenty of points he found unacceptable, but given the circumstances, refusal was not an option. Fool was enthusiastic about it, which made it all the worse.

“It’s a request from the Astera Ducal House… Well done. As expected of a man of Lagias.”

If ties could be forged with the ducal house, Lagias would prosper—so Fool declared, fired up.

Fool would be traveling separately this time and had already entered the capital ahead of them. That was just as Hiroto wanted, and there were many logistical steps on the security side as well.

“How about it, kid? Quite the scale compared to the Lagias Domain, eh? In an emergency, the barrier embedded in the walls can be activated too!”

“Why are you the one sounding proud…? I get the feeling, though.”

They had come by carriage arranged by Marcus and the others for the road to the capital. Because it was a formal request from the crown, all carriages and other necessities for the escort were covered by the kingdom.

It was comfortable not having to make arrangements himself, but knights and mages were always nearby. The constant presence felt stifling, as if he were being watched.

“I don’t care. …More importantly, what is with this lot? Are you trying to act as my bodyguards?”

At first it had been only Marcus and Keat, but the number of knights increased as they went. One could say separate units merged in as they stopped by other towns on the way—but even so, he felt too many eyes on him.

“Some units were also away from the capital on expedition. They likely returned to coincide with this council… Best not to say anything careless. Even organizations serving the same kingdom have factions.”

Zeke had become the youngest A-rank adventurer—and with a ducal recommendation. Simple curiosity could also explain the stares.

“Can’t help the bad attention. There are plenty of rumors,” Keat said.

And ill will as well, of course. Some nobles probably resented him; others feared he might grow close to the ducal house.

“Pointless people. Amazing this country still functions with such fools.”

“…Please don’t start any trouble.”

This security assignment would be a joint operation of multiple bodies: the Knights, the Mage Corps, the Adventurers Association, and more. They took the Apion incident seriously, but it was also hard to cover the vast capital with only knights and mages.

They didn’t even know if the enemy’s target was the council; there could be other marks. It was also possible all this would prove needless caution.

“Hmph. That depends on the rest of you.”

Those participating as security for the Lords’ Council gathered in a room of the Adventurers Association’s headquarters building. Because multiple organizations were involved, a neutral venue—the Association—had been chosen.

Being the kingdom’s headquarters, the building was quite large—worlds apart from the Rent Branch Hiroto normally used.

Desks and chairs were set up inside, and people grouped by organization. Likely this wasn’t everyone involved; a handful of representatives appeared to be attending the meeting. Which made him think, you don’t need me then—but it was too late to leave.

Incidentally, no one stood near Zeke (Hiroto). A conspicuously empty zone had formed around him.

“Seems we’re all here. …I am Struck Lark, a regimental commander. I will be the officer in charge of this security detail.”

He looked in his forties. Not particularly young, but far from a worn-out middle-aged man. A tempered, powerful build gave off something like pressure.

“Though our positions differ, and our paths here varied… I thank you. Truly.”

Even without armor—wearing his knight’s uniform—he cut a formidable figure. A different breed of knight than Brink (Luke’s father).

“As you all know, I’ll restate the details of this mission.”

Struck began his briefing.

In Apion, a curse had assaulted a provincial city. A powerful wide-area hex had pushed a city to the brink of collapse.

“Close in time to that, the Lords’ Council was set to be held here in the capital. We judged there was ample possibility it would be targeted, which led to this joint security operation.”

With so many unknowns, coordination among multiple organizations was essential.

“We will share the council’s particulars later. We have also pre-assigned zones for each person. We’ll inform you of those as well.”

A practical disposition. If everyone guarded wherever they liked, a joint detail would lose meaning and disrupt the chain of command.

“First, let the representatives introduce themselves. You won’t trust your backs to strangers.”

Prompted by Struck, the Mage Corps representative began the greetings.

“Yorn Grin of the Mage Corps. —Though with the Knights, it’s a bit late for introductions…”

A slender man with long, chestnut hair brushed to the side. He looked a notch younger than Struck and showed little deference—more the air of confidence grounded in experience.

“Bart Pinas. Of the Maria Church. …That is all.”

Next spoke a big man whose appearance hardly evoked the clergy: a clean-shaven head and a large scar running from his brow across his left eye—an outlaw’s face. Wouldn’t that drive away the faithful?

“Hm? Me next? I’m an adventurer—believe it or not. Nice to meet you.”

Haria Charge. Leader of the A-rank party “Wings of Light” belonging to the Adventurers Association. This time she was joining as the adventurers’ representative.

Apothecaries and medical groups were also participating.

A threat to the capital—the kingdom’s heart—could be at hand. It was an “all hands” situation.

And the final greeting—

“Aaron Izosaar of the Royal Guard Corps. …Thank you all for gathering. Let us protect our beloved capital together!”

The theatrical introduction came from Aaron of the Royal Guard Corps, the unit charged with guarding the royal family and palace.

Among those speaking as representatives, he was the youngest—yet being here implied ability.

“No, no—we didn’t gather for your sake. …But we’ll do the job right if we take the contract,” Haria said.

By building trust and results, she had raised her party to A-rank; when it came to work, she brought unmatched responsibility.

“Splendid! As expected of comrades who share our purpose. Everyone here is chosen and capable… Yes, everyone.”

With a meaningful smile, Aaron turned his gaze toward Zeke.

“Man… We were almost keeping it tidy,” Yorn muttered.

“You say that, Mr. Yorn, but you’re curious too, aren’t you? About various things.”

Attention finally fixed on Zeke—the topic no one had touched like a sore spot.

“I’m sure the rest feel the same. Why is the Lagias heir present? How did he climb to A-rank? What’s his tie to the ducal house? —Mm-hmm. Endless questions.”

He spoke in a rousing, needling cadence, like a leader whipping up a crowd.

“Have you even read the brief this time? He’s a key contributor at Apion. There’s nothing odd about him being here,” Haria said.

“Precisely! Apion stands as it does thanks to him! …According to the report.”

“Enough. …Get to the point,” Bart growled.

“Don’t glare, Mr. Bart. …The report’s only eyewitness to certain events was one girl from the Astera Ducal House.”

Thanks to Ciel’s holy arts, the curse had been lifted and the residents recovered. It wasn’t temporary, either—she continued to use holy arts to heal many afterward.

It was widely known she had mastered holy arts—that is, there were many witnesses. Zeke, however, had none.

“You’re saying the testimony’s wrong? And what would the ducal house gain from that?” Haria asked.

“We wouldn’t know. That’s why we should ask… him, here and now. And we’ll be the witnesses!”

This had been Aaron’s goal from the outset: force Zeke to speak in a room full of each body’s key figures.

“…As a fellow adventurer, I’m curious too. It shouldn’t happen—but there are rumors of people buying their rank with money,” Haria said.

“People from the Lagias Domain come to our church seeking salvation—asking God to judge. …We are different creeds to begin with,” Bart added.

“Not to pile on, but when the Mage Corps went out near the Lagias Domain, the state of things was awful. Cross the border and the road was a wreck,” Yorn said.

Plenty of unresolved feelings toward Lagias, it seemed. Representatives voiced doubts, complaints, and criticism from every angle.

Zeke understood Lagias was hated—in the original work and in this world.

In the game, the House of Lagias had been depicted as hated like the plague. At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it—just spice for the scenario.

But lately he had a thought: wasn’t the hatred a bit too much?

He understood the servants and the domain’s people hating them—they had been abused. But what about outsiders? Domains were governed by their lords, and the realm as a whole by the king. In other words, Lagias’s influence shouldn’t weigh heavily outside its borders.

There were limits to resenting someone with no direct harm. Fool might have committed evils Hiroto didn’t know—leveraging his rank to pressure other nobles or commoners.

By forcing the game’s setting onto reality, the House of Lagias’s circumstances had become warped… perhaps, Hiroto mused—utterly unrelated to the meeting.

Arms folded, eyes closed, he looked aloof to everyone else.

“Now that we’ve warmed up the room… you’re quite cool. Nothing to say?”

Aaron needled.

“Right. I concluded you lot are too busy licking each other’s wounds to handle this security mission.”

Zeke’s flat reply silenced the lively room in an instant.

“Oh? And what do you mean by that?”

“Can’t parse words? Pathetic. And this gets you into the Royal Guard Corps?”

Aaron blinked at the unexpected verbal blow—more surprised than angry.

“It seems my presence bothers you.”

“…Not exactly—” “Do as you please.” “—Huh?”

“I didn’t accept this by choice. But it gives me a pretext, which suits me fine.”

He didn’t care about the assignment. If the representatives had demands, that explained it. So decide quickly, he told them.

“…This isn’t going how I imagined. I heard the ducal house approached you,” Aaron said.

“At least, not me. And here’s what the ducal house will hear: all the organizations opposed it. The knights, keen-eyed as ever, chided the ducal house for poor judgment… That’s the tale. Not bad, is it?”

He chuckled, mocking.

“In the first place, the capital’s fate doesn’t concern me.”

“…What is that supposed to mean?” Bart’s sharp stare speared Zeke, who didn’t even flinch.

“Think it through. Why did this reach even the hated House of Lagias? …In the capital, safeguarding the city is the Knights’ and the Mage Corps’ duty. Guarding the royal family is the Royal Guard Corps’ role.”

Zeke continued: if there were sick or wounded, that fell to the Maria Church and apothecaries, and requests around the capital were the purview of the Association’s headquarters.

“Problems of the capital are yours to solve. If it’s come as far as me… isn’t that the same as the king saying you’re incompetent? Hilarious.”

“You’ve got a mouth on you, kid… Picking a fight with this many people?” Haria said coldly.

“Hah. If you don’t like it, you resort to force? The capital’s law and order must be dire.”

Haria’s face tightened—and not hers alone. In game terms, all the aggro was on Zeke.

He kept up the barrage.

“Buying adventurer rank with money? Idiotic. Not worth a single coin. The fact your mind goes there shows your limits.”

“Those who run to the church for ‘salvation’ can be left to rot. If they hate it, they can leave the domain. A mouth that works but hands that don’t has no right to live.”

“The road was ruined? How many years ago was that? Don’t peddle fantasies, liar.”

It was a conflagration—sparks turned to a sea of flame.

“I’ve never seen a child boast this big… You know words have consequences, yes? If it’s not bought but real, you can prove it.”

Haria commented.

“…Prove it? —Yes. Exactly!”

Aaron suddenly burst out, drawing stares.

“As Miss Haria says. Everyone’s thinking it—maybe he doesn’t have the strength to match!”

“…Are you a bit off in the head?”

Haria muttered.

Aaron, finding his moment, pressed on.

“The Association’s headquarters has an enormous training ground. Let’s see it there—the power of the ‘hero who saved Apion.’ That should settle things!”

People glanced at each other at the abrupt proposal. What was he saying? And yet everyone was curious: whether Zeke’s strength matched the rumors.

“Commander Struck, what do you say? My proposal is reasonable, isn’t it?”

“Very well. Knowing each other’s strength is necessary.”

And somehow, a mock battle—Zeke versus others—was decided.

The training ground was built beneath the Association’s headquarters—large enough to support many kinds of drills.

Zeke stood at its center; a short distance away were Struck and those tied to the mission. Behind them, a crowd of onlookers—adventurers among them. Near Zeke stood Marcus and Keat, who had not been at the meeting.

“…I told you, don’t cause a scene.”

Marcus said.

“I told you, that depends on them.”

“I figured it’d end like this.”

Formally, the two were on Struck’s side, but they stood by Zeke. They didn’t like hearing him maligned—and if he went too far, they wanted to be close enough to stop him.

“Quite the crowd… That shows how much attention he’s drawing—for good or ill.”

“Of course, Mr. Yorn. Word is he has the Astera Ducal House behind him.”

“…So? After all that riling up, who’s going first?”

“Miss Haria, naturally that would be—”

Before Aaron could volunteer, a burly giant stepped forward.

“I’ll go! Boss, leave it to me.”

A massive man, nearly one meter ninety, wearing only a tank top up top, his robust physique on display.

“Bork. Don’t you dare—”

“I know. But I can’t stand it. Adventurers take pride in our work—and our rank is our honor! And this brat of a noble is A-rank? Give me a break!”

Rumors of Zeke had reached the capital’s headquarters: he had slain high-difficulty monsters repeatedly and become the youngest to rise to A-rank.

“And he’s a Lagias brat! He must’ve cheated with dirty tricks! I’ll smash him!”

“Yeah! Do it!”

“Down with the corrupt noble!”

“Take it easy—just don’t kill him.”

The arena’s mood turned strange—like a stage for passing heavenly judgment on the infamous Lagias.

“Feels like I’m the villain,” Zeke murmured.

“Whatever the Lagias family is, he as a person isn’t the issue,” Keat said.

Bork armed himself and advanced to Zeke. He fought like a brawler, using metal knuckles—magitech devices by the look.

“Hey, Lagias brat. No mercy. That A-rank you cheated for gets revoked today.”

“If you want it so badly, I’ll give it to you… though it doesn’t suit you.”

“Don’t mock me! Blow away!”

Without so much as a signal, the fight began.

Mana gathered at Bork’s knuckles, shaping into spheres infused with wind. He launched them on his punches—a martial technique that slammed bullets of wind into his foe.

A thunderclap echoed—yet…

“What!? When did—!?”

He had meant to end it in a single strike. But Zeke looked unruffled. An ice wall he’d conjured had stopped the attack.

“Already done? I’ve fought beasts worse than you.”

“Don’t screw with me, brat!”

Bork fired in a flurry, slamming wind bullets into the ice wall, fists alternating in a rapid barrage. The power was considerable—but…

“Why… can he block it? What is this?”

The ice wall didn’t even seem scratched. Only a quiet chill drifted in the air.

“My own private force is better. These are the capital’s adventurers?”

Bork wasn’t all show: a C-rank adventurer whose body techniques matched his frame and who wielded magitech—some said he’d soon reach B-rank. Yet his blows weren’t landing at all.

“Seems you’re out of tricks.”

Suddenly, Zeke dispelled his magic, the ice wall vanishing. Bork hastily raised his guard, but—

“—What!? That’s—!?”

Mana gathered on Zeke’s fist the same way—faster than Bork’s, shaping an even larger wind bullet.

“Here’s the example—remember it. …Though that may be too hard for you.”

The launched wind bullet hit him squarely, blasting him to the far end of the arena—bowling through other adventurers along the way.

“So—who’s next?”

The Lagias Brat moved.