Azadin thought Zion had a very peculiar personality.
Are all members of the House Aether like this?
'I mean, I kind of agree that it makes more sense for the one to bring the storm to be Aleph of Wind rather than Dimia of Flowers… but still, saying that out loud sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Is this really the time to be worrying about that? Looks like he fled after their base got raided, no?'
Besides, hadn't they seen Dimia later at Count Lantarik's castle?
"Are you saying this was her doing?"
"Yes. Because not long after, a significant number of copies of the Book of the Divine King manifested. Dimia of Flower and Zenith recovered those copies of the Book of the Divine King."
"..."
Just like Scott had said, it seemed that when pain was inflicted on the people, their screams and cries could manifest the copies of the Book of the Divine King.
But could she really have orchestrated all this just to manifest them?
'No, seriously, how do you even make it rain endlessly in the King's City?'
Azadin decided to ask that point.
"Do you know what method she used to make it rain?"
"That I'm not sure of. Honestly, I left Coral Sahar early on when the rain had just started…."
"Aren't you the head of the Pedders' Guild here?"
"Well, I am the Pedders' Guild head for Korasar. But the real power lies with my uncle. You know Elder Sebali Aether from the Elder Council, right?"
"Ah. Then, is the Elder inside the city?"
When Azadin asked about the elder's whereabouts, Zion turned to Midiam.
"Midiam. Can we really trust this guy? Even if he's Arael's younger brother."
"We can trust him."
"You there, servant boy. What about you?"
"He is not on Arael's side. Maybe in the future, who knows, but at least for now, he is sincerely opposed to her."
"Alright. If you say so, I'll believe it."
Zion said that, puffing himself up.
"Herald Azadin. Rejoice. I will give even a lowly herald like you the chance to perform a great service."
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll be allowed to join the operation to rescue Elder Sebali. You'll be aiding the House Aether. For you and your servants, it's a glory far beyond your station… hmm?"
As he said that, Zion's eyes stopped on Zebeck.
"Hey, that guy over there—he looks like a Holy Knight of the King's Church."
"I am Zebeck of Skalabes, Holy Knight of the King's Church."
"Ah… What?!"
Zion jumped at that.
"I-I'm sure it'll be fine. Probably," Midiam said, trying to calm him.
"He's an orc necromancer, you see."
"Scott McGreen."
"And she's a naga."
"Why is everyone suddenly introducing themselves? I'm not doing it."
Shati refused to introduce herself, but thanks to Midiam presenting Scott and Shati, the suspicious attention that had been focused on Holy Knight Zebeck was now dispersed.
"How did people like this end up together?"
"When your ideals are lofty, comrades gather."
That was all Azadin could say in response.
***
Ishmael was originally a servant from the Aether household, so he was already acquainted with the other servants that Zion Aether kept close.
After speaking with them, he learned that Zion Aether had already fought Zenith once and lost, sacrificing many members of the Korasar Pedders' Guild before escaping.
Even so, Aether was still Aether. Zion Aether now traveled with twenty servants.
"I was originally planning to stand and fight Arael's followers near here. But if Midiam vouches for you, that changes things."
"Sounds to me like you were too scared to go into Coral Sahar."
"No, that's not it. The details are classified, so I can't say more."
"What kind of classified info?"
"I said I can't say."
Zion shook his head at Azadin's question.
"In any case, we're going to rescue Elder Sebali. So, what do you say? Will you come?"
"…Of course. I'll go."
"Good. Glory awaits us."
Zion Aether was visibly excited.
"You saying that just makes me nervous."
"Glory always comes after hardship. I won't pretend this will be easy."
Zion puffed his chest as he said that.
***
As they entered the Coral Sahar region, the wind and rain blowing from afar could definitely be felt.
The river had swollen and overflowed its banks, and in the distance, black clouds towered high into the sky like colossal giants from myth. Thunder flashed, casting light and shadow across the grasslands.
"Whoa, what the…."
"It's still raining…."
The servants traveling with Zion were aghast.
"We've still got three more days of walking to get to Coral Sahar."
"And it's been raining for two whole weeks."
"What should we do?"
Even the Imperial Road built by the Emperor was submerged in the lower areas, making it difficult to reach the city directly. They could go around, but with all the rain, it was hard to estimate how long it would take.
"Fortunately, there's a boat I left for repairs nearby."
Zion pointed to a nearby barn.
"It can't carry many. We'll have to leave the horses and mountain goats behind, and we'll need to leave some people too."
"We'll have to pick the best. No telling what'll happen once we're inside."
"Exactly."
Zion said that, then looked over his servants.
"Who wants to volunteer?"
"Wait."
Azadin stopped him.
"If we're talking about elites, my companions are better."
"Better than the Aragasas? Aren't you underestimating the Aether family too much? Even if they're servants, many are as skilled as heralds. That's the strength of the traditional House Aether."
"That doesn't sound like something the Aether family should be proud of—it sounds more like something to be ashamed of. It means you're blocking the paths of talented people."
"When one is born noble, it's only natural that followers gather."
"That sounds like a twisted version of a saying I've heard somewhere."
"Frankly, someone like you, Azadin, with no background or status, should be honored just to be having a face-to-face conversation with me. But Arael has proven her worth, so as her brother, your value has risen too."
"Normally, I'd be angry, but you're so out of touch, I can't even get mad."
Despite Zion Aether's outrageous remarks, Azadin felt more dumbfounded than angry.
"So why should I be the one to pick your companions?"
"If we take too many Aragasas, we'll run out of arrows too fast. And since we'll be going by boat, we can't bring horses or mountain goats—that's a problem, right? Besides, we still need the Korasar Pedders' Guild. Your servants all have Pedders' Guild credentials, don't they? If they move around as merchants, even the Arael's faction won't touch them."
"Huh?"
At that, Zion seemed to finally understand.
"I see. Alright. We'll take your companions. I hear they're dying to help rescue my uncle. It seems the nobility of the House Aether is now widely known even outside Aragasa."
'Yeah, right.'
Azadin thought that but didn't say it out loud.
"Fine. So you said you hid a boat here? You're sure soldiers or refugees haven't commandeered it?"
"It'll still be there. I locked it with a magic seal. No way my magic could be broken so easily."
"Scott."
"Yeah."
As Scott's wheelchair came to a stop at the slope, Shati, unable to watch any longer, moved behind and pushed him. As soon as Scott approached the barn, the chains clicked and the barn door opened on its own.
"Hm. As expected of an orc."
Since orcs were well known to be a highly intelligent race skilled in magic, Zion didn't take any offense when Scott, an orc, dispelled his magic.
***
The boat stored inside the barn was a small cargo vessel—not large at all. Considering they had to load food, water, weapons, and supplies, there was no way everyone could board.
"We're supposed to head into storm-ridden Coral Sahar in this…?"
Zebeck was clearly uneasy.
The swollen river, likely due to seawater backflow, was ferocious. Debris swept along by the current, remnants from flooded villages, spun through the rapids. Anyone who fell in would surely never be found.
"With all this rain, we don't have many options. We should be grateful we even have this. Sir Zebeck, you'll need to take off your armor. Who knows when the boat might flip in this storm."
"But, um."
A few of the Aether servants stepped forward.
"We'd like to volunteer for the elder's rescue. Lord Zion, you know our skills well, don't you?"
"I do."
"Meanwhile, this herald and his subordinates…"
"Someone as young as Ishmael should sit this out, shouldn't he?"
"Young Lady Midiam is a noble lady—she shouldn't be exposed to such danger."
They gave various reasons to oppose Azadin's group joining the mission. It seemed they genuinely wanted to rescue the elder and gain merit for themselves.
'I thought Arael's claims would be appealing to the servant class, but maybe not.'
Arael's vision of changing the Aragasa system dominated by the Five Great Houses and other noble houses seemed likely to gain traction with the oppressed—but in reality, the servants seemed to see this as an opportunity to gain favor with their masters.
'Then again, maybe it just means the House Aether is wealthy enough that being recognized by them is seen as more beneficial.'
As Azadin thought that—
"Which is why I'm challenging you to a duel, Azadin."
"Hm? Me?"
At some point, the servants' distrust had turned toward Azadin himself.
"I was spacing out—has the conversation already gotten to that point? Why are you challenging me to a duel?"
"Even if you haven't betrayed the Elder Council, you're still the brother of the traitor Arael."
"And with all due respect, word is that you're lacking as a herald."
"They say Elder Kazas forced you in. And if someone like you takes a spot in this mission and messes up the elder's rescue, what then?"
"And if we defeat you, perhaps we could take your place as herald."
"…So, you're servants, and you're challenging me, a herald? Wagering the title?"
Azadin asked the servants who were now openly hostile toward him.
"That's right."
"Hm. You do realize that if you're going after a herald's position and lose, I have full rights over your life, don't you? I could kill you and no one would say a thing."
"We understand."
"You guys really think I'm a pushover, huh?"
Azadin wasn't angry at all. In fact, he took it as a good sign.
'I thought word of my skill had spread after beating up a few people, but maybe it varies by region and class? That could be useful.'
As seen with Calypso, who had let her guard down and got knocked out with a single blow, it was better for Azadin if people underestimated him.
"Alright. We're in a hurry, so let's do it all at once."
"Huh?"
"All at once—what do you…?"
At that moment, Azadin moved first.