Chapter 338 - Cooperation (2)
Bohemirn Magic Tower.
Combat ranking, 2nd, overall ranking, 4th.
DarkWarton Magic Tower.
Combat ranking, 3rd, overall ranking, 3rd.
Outwardly, their visible forces are thought to lag behind, but in overall level, they are evaluated to be ahead of the magic tower led by Balrog Bessias.
The ranking of the magic towers as the world sees it.
DarkWarton is, among the ten magic towers, one of the undisputed top towers that rank within the top three.
DarkWarton sets itself apart from other magic towers in two major ways.
"The first is the title."
The first tower master, the Necromancer, who gathered the black mages who wished to become part of the world in a distant past, founded DarkWarton.
That great epithet was inherited by the tower masters of later generations, and rather than being forgotten over the long years, it pierced through the ages.
"And the second is the successor."
Including the first, the tower masters of DarkWarton throughout history have maintained the rule of choosing only a single disciple.
Even if they find a better timber along the way, they can never arbitrarily revoke that choice.
"The only times the disciple—meaning the tower's successor—can be replaced are when they violate DarkWarton's absolute regulations, or when they die."
No one knows the reason.
There was no way to know the internal circumstances of DarkWarton in detail.
All I had were the various hypotheses that circulated in the magic world back when I was at the Bohemirn Magic Tower.
I do recall that the prevailing guess was that it was to make the position of tower master weigh heavier.
But since DarkWarton never answered directly, even that is uncertain.
Well, anyway.
A magic tower that maintains a tradition that is no exaggeration to call absolute.
Thanks to that particularity, its internal cohesion and dominion are second to none.
"In other words...."
Haldirn Deiras, the high-ranking dark magus sitting directly across.
He was the disciple of Ryndel Nexleon, the Necromancer of this era, and the next in power after him.
It was a point that explained why Archbishop Joseph trusted him, and entrusted him with important business regarding Glory of the Dead.
A dominator who may later reign over the world.
A being who might, perhaps, achieve the realm of Transcendence.
My interest is piqued.
Verden, facing Haldirn, asked.
"I didn't expect DarkWarton's number two to be moving personally, is there no issue with that?"
"Keeping oneself safe in a secure place to preserve one's dignity is what the weak do, do not fear death, that is my master's teaching, and I prefer to move alone, so I don't even bring escorts."
Inside the pitch-black robe.
Whether it was the effect of a magic item or an artifact, his face could not be recognized, only a sooty darkness sat there.
"Asher, what business do you have in the Beldirn Republic?"
"Glory of the Dead."
"The reason."
"Because it stands in my way, I'll ask in return, for what purpose is DarkWarton intervening directly?"
"They violated the regulations for black mages set by DarkWarton, and wicked magicians who turn back the age ought to be subjugated."
A level conversation.
Different voices passed naturally between them.
One was an honorary count of the Kingdom of Estiria, the ruler of Roafra in the underworld.
The other was the successor taught by a Transcendent, the next owner of a top-tier magic tower.
A clear difference existed, yet neither Verden nor Haldirn showed any sign of caring about things like status.
They were merely sizing each other up by their own standards and methods.
Even though their words carried no hostility or emotions like the urge to guard, a subtle tension rose.
Adrian folded his arms and kept silent, saying he would not interrupt his lord's conversation.
Paladin, Railver glanced at Verden as if to ask what sort of man he even was.
Archbishop Joseph, finding it interesting, listened attentively to the two men's exchange.
"...."
Leira, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, looked around the inside of the carriage.
She stole a glance at the faces of the five others besides herself.
The magus Asher, who possessed overwhelming magic power.
The swordsman traveling with him, hiding his appearance with a robe and a metal mask.
A paladin.
One of the Seven Archbishops.
The only disciple of the DarkWarton tower master.
Every one of them was extraordinary.
It was hard to believe that these people had gathered in one place.
"I'm a high-ranking adventurer too, though..."
Mithril rank, the second-highest in the Adventurers' Guild.
A position that countless adventurers look up to and set as the goal of their lives, yet here, she was nothing if not ordinary.
Be that as it may, the carriage ran without stopping.
Before long, they entered the fortress that served as the Luas Church's stronghold and the very heart of Quorail.
***
Even though they had used an airship, the journey was not short in distance.
If they had been ordinary people, they might have felt a mental fatigue from traversing national borders, but of course, these were not ordinary.
They were always in their usual state, able to display full power.
There was no need at all to take separate rest, they hadn't come to travel in the first place.
They did not intend to move in frantic haste, but there was no reason to waste time uselessly.
The top of the fortress.
The principals gathered in the space normally used by the republic's councilors.
It was Archbishop Joseph who announced the start of the meeting.
"Then I will relay what happened in Kailiens."
It was to share information with Haldirn, who had not been present there.
The mayors who had suffered from black magic.
The corpses of demi-humans and humans transported through the waterways.
The [Pillar of Life] that caused the abnormal proliferation of demi-humans.
Even the conversation with the executive-level figure leading Glory of the Dead whom they met at Surdmil.
As he listened to the sequence of events, Haldirn murmured softly.
"I see, so that's what it was..."
A reaction as though loose ends had just tied together.
Soon Joseph's explanation ended, and Haldirn's turn came.
New information that might, perhaps, become the key to tracking them.
Everyone paid attention, focusing on his voice.
"First, after thoroughly checking regions untouched by people, I found one of their bases, and I disguised myself as a dark mage belonging to Glory of the Dead and infiltrated."
It was a unilateral decision that could have been dangerous, but was possible because he had the skill and confidence for it.
"There, I obtained information on a High Councilor whose whereabouts had been unknown, to give the conclusion first, it turned out one of them had joined hands with Glory of the Dead."
No one showed surprise at that.
It was something they had, to some extent, anticipated.
The surprising news came next.
"And one who had been severely wounded died while attempting a curse, and he was killed."
"...killed?"
"I heard it was by someone within that High Councilor's guard, I didn't hear the name, but they said he wore plate armor and wielded a massive two-handed greatsword."
A swordsman in heavy armor.
Something was about to surface in Verden's mind, but before that, Haldirn continued.
"The guard is being secretly wanted and tracked, by the High Councilor attached to Glory of the Dead, in a sense, it is also closely related to you."
Haldirn pulled out three wanted posters from his robes.
The contents were similar to those seen in Kailiens, but with more detailed information added.
[Count Asher – Bounty 4 billion Elk]
[The Count's bodyguard knight – Bounty 2 billion Elk]
[Bloodstained Sword, Leira – Bounty 3 billion Elk]
Verden's name, Adrian's wanted notice, and the bounties had been added, an astronomical sum for mere individuals.
"Why is my bounty the lowest?"
"Is that really important right now?"
Leaving behind Adrian and Leira's different complaints, Verden narrowed his eyes.
'The official reason is a proclamation from Kailiens, in truth, it is a means to track our location in real time.'
It likely held little true significance.
There were many ways to move while hiding one's identity.
If the purpose was simply to be bothersome, then it was indeed a success.
"Lastly, they are handling numerous demi-humans by using a black magic circle that interferes with the mind, I don't know their exact numbers, but some of the individuals are judged to be significant fighting power."
"Were there no demi-humans or human-type undead made from corpses?"
"In the base I confirmed, there were none."
The whereabouts of the corpses that had come from Kailiens still remained unknown.
That concluded Haldirn's report.
Now it was time to combine the information and decide how to act.
Thus the meeting continued a little longer.
After exchanging opinions and holding a close discussion, three plans were established.
'First, find the guard being chased by Glory of the Dead.'
If fortunate, they might learn where the High Councilor allied with them was located.
Even if not, it would mean discovering one more base.
'Second, track the ships that came from Kailiens.'
Glory of the Dead dealt in high black magic.
No one knew what they intended to do with corpses accumulated over months, but it was certainly dangerous.
Blocking it beforehand was urgent.
'Third, uncover the location of another base somewhere in the republic.'
Whatever the case, unless Glory of the Dead was eradicated, this would not end.
A full-scale war was inevitable.
"Then it is time to decide who will take what task."
It could not be done haphazardly.
Each had to be assigned efficiently, in a direction suited to them.
The first to decide was Haldirn.
"I will take the second, if they transported that many corpses, there will surely be traces left behind."
"Indeed, you are the most suitable for that."
He was a master of black magic.
No one disputed DarkWarton Magic Tower.
Now two remained.
"If it's alright, could I take the third alone?"
Leira raised her hand slightly.
It was Haldirn who answered her choice.
"Even aside from black magic, the demi-humans they handle are not to be underestimated, can you manage?"
"My main profession is adventurer, I've subjugated more demi-humans than anyone here, I know you're all greater than me...."
Leira spoke firmly.
"But I too have hidden strength, enough to save at least my own life."
It was not bluffing, but clear conviction.
Seeing her, each nodded, respecting Leira.
Joseph sent her a worried look, but did not open his mouth in the end.
"Then the first is ours."
Naturally, it fell to Verden and Adrian to find the pursued guard.
"It seems simple at a glance, but it may well be the most difficult, Asher, you may face not only Glory of the Dead, but also those employed by the republic."
Not only that, bounty hunters might also come after them.
The Beldirn Republic was a place connected to the central continent by a magic circle.
Even if it had now been shut down, there was no guarantee that strong individuals had not already entered before.
There could even be a large battle… To Joseph's concern, Verden answered.
"I would rather prefer it that way, if we are going to face them anyway, it's easier to deal with them all at once."
"I too agree with my lord."
Again, no one opposed.
Thus the people for each plan were decided.
Then what were Joseph and the Luas Church to do.
"In the meantime, we will carry out a large-scale raid around the base Haldirn discovered."
In short, it was a localized battle meant both to subjugate and to divert the gaze of Glory of the Dead.
Haldirn rose from his seat.
"Since each has their task, let us move at once."
It was time to prepare.
As Leira lightly flipped her blonde hair back over her shoulders and was about to leave the chamber, a shadow fell beside her.
It was Verden.
"Asher?"
"Leira, I have a request."
A request, out of the blue?
Leira tilted her head slightly in curiosity.
"If you happen to find a demi-human engraved with a black magic circle, could you bring it back?"
"A demi-human? Alive?"
"If possible."
He did not give the reason, but she did not question it.
On the surface, there did not seem to be much of a connection, but beneath, they belonged to the same Ark.
"Alright, if the chance comes, I'll try to secure one."
Leira accepted readily.
And shortly after, they departed Quorail in different directions.
The joint operation, with the Luas Church, the magic tower, the adventurer, and Verden and Adrian, had begun.
Glory of the Dead.
***
Among the 'Servants' leading it, the Fourth Servant, a man like a corpse, was deep in thought.
'The Luas Church.'
Archbishop Joseph had not boarded the ship prepared at Surdmil.
That was expected.
'Most likely... he entered the republic using an airship.'
It was simple to determine the means of travel.
Of course, that did not reveal their current location, or how they would move, but he did not care in the least.
"Luas Church, Asher, DarkWarton, adventurer, it matters not what path you seek to take."
The Fourth Servant smiled.
"The conclusion is already decided."
Black eyes, steeped in the aura of death, slowly turned downward.
[Krrr....]
There, was a colossal demi-human with seven horns.
A mighty beast that should have ravaged Kailiens naturally.
A special entity, brought forth only by using even an ancient scroll, inscribed with high black magic of the seventh tier.
And that was not all.
In the land where the living walked, a 'Transcendent existence' slept.
Even if the puzzle's board twisted midway, it was fine.
All the pieces that had been laid before could be reshaped to fit upon it.
In the end, the puzzle would be completed.
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