Chapter 43. Con Merchant Guild (1)
Dark Moon, Dahit Wethroel.
He was a tyrannical leader to the followers of Black Hour, and soon to be a god. Before the power of a great Magus who had reached the 7th tier, there was almost nothing that could oppose him.
It was self-evident that Black Hour, ruled by such a Dahit, was enjoying its peak at this very moment.
But no one had expected it.
No matter how infamous they were, who would have thought they would be framed for something they had not done, and be forced into war with the magic towers.
"…The ones we sent to Harkan went missing?"
"Yes, without a trace. But it seems certain that they were killed by someone."
As soon as the words ended, a human was dragged in, unconscious, tied with rope.
When Dahit stretched out his hand, the human was pulled straight to him, his head seized. Dark magic power burrowed past skin and bone, and into the brain.
The scenes that the human had seen and felt flowed into Dahit.
Originally, this magic had been created for the caster to one-sidedly transfer memories to the receiver, but within Black Hour, through many studies, they had made the reverse possible.
For the sake of receiving more accurate information.
"Ghhh… Gghhhhk…!"
The human convulsed, as if his soul was being sucked out, and soon hung limp.
His outer appearance remained intact, but inside he had turned to mush. It must have been a torment unbearable for a human.
He could have granted him an easy death, but there was no reason whatsoever for Dahit to grant such mercy.
Dahit closed his eyes.
The human's memory of being dragged here and there by a Black Hour mage. After a short while, a massive crater in the Vard Mountains came into view.
'A trace of magic.'
A weight that collapsed the mountain range, and scorching heat that burned the forest.
Such a type of magic did exist in the fire element…
'Perhaps I overthought it.'
If someone could wield that, they would have erased the ones sent to kill Harkan in an instant.
Between a mage, who is 'bound by the laws of magic,' and a Magus, who 'abandons those laws and walks the way of magic (魔道),' the gap was like heaven and earth.
The most likely case, if one considered it, was Harkan.
That old teacher must have desired revenge. But no matter if he was a Magus, with his mana circuits completely shattered, whatever he did was nothing more than a worm's struggle.
Yet, it was not that there was no way to heal.
The saintess of the Church of Luas. That woman, fanatically devoted to an invisible god, was said even to bring the dead back to life.
Of course, there was absolutely no chance that such a saintess would ever meet Harkan.
Black flames engulfed the human's body.
In the blink of an eye, his corpse vanished without even ashes remaining. Wiping his hands with the towel handed by a subordinate, Dahit spoke.
"It seems to be the work of Harkan, that old man."
"I will pursue him at once."
"No need, he is likely dead anyway. Do not search for the missing ones. I will think of them as having been given to my old teacher as companions on his way to the underworld."
Two at the 4th tier, one at the 3rd. For Black Hour's power, their absence made no difference.
Rather, it was as if they had fallen into a trap prepared desperately by Harkan to kill Dahit in his stead, and thus had fulfilled their role.
From the start, Dahit had not believed Harkan was the culprit.
That stiff-necked teacher was not skilled in such tricks. Moreover, he did not have the power to shatter the power source of a magic tower. Even for Dahit, that was among the impossible.
Still, just in case, he had searched.
'A pity about the compass, but as the price for reaping my teacher's life, it is just right.'
With that conclusion, he ended the matter of Harkan.
There was no longer any time to waste on the dead. Dahit cast aside the thought and focused on the present.
Since Bohemirn Magic Tower had formed an execution squad, nearby branches had been wiped out wholesale. No matter how well they concealed themselves, the information power of the other towers aiding Bohemirn could not be ignored.
For now, they had retreated.
Since their opponent was what it was, they too had to make proper preparations. A new branch for that purpose was nearly complete.
'I must somehow disperse their forces.'
Then, once Dahit personally slew the tower master, the situation would end.
After that, he would purge all who had framed Black Hour and all those related to it.
And also, the subordinate secretly planted in the magic tower with no small cost, who vanished without a trace once the incident occurred.
Though he looked calm, inside Dahit was burning with vengeance.
Just then, a mage in a black robe came rushing and knelt before Dahit.
"R, reporting!"
A foreboding premonition struck.
"…What is it?"
"The branch near the Empire that was near completion, was, by Bohemirn's execution squad…!"
Annihilated.
Every member of Black Hour sent there had been slain, and all supplies including the potions dispatched had been seized. Most importantly, the plan Dahit had built was scrapped before it could even begin.
Crack.
The armrest of his chair shattered. Barely swallowing his rage, Dahit commanded them.
"…Pull the front line back."
The territory of Black Hour shrank by the hour.
But Dahit was not one to stand by and watch. Once preparations were complete, he would at any time personally step forth and tear the tower dogs apart.
'So wait for me.'
Between the magic towers and Black Hour, there flowed a current like the calm before a storm.
And meanwhile, Verden…
"Mmm, the fragrance is fine."
Sipping top-class tea, he was enjoying rest in the resort city of the duchy.
***
Awakening from sleep, Verden rubbed his eyes and threw open the curtains.
Warm sunlight poured through the window, and when he cast his gaze downward, a lively city unfolded.
The resort city of the Duchy of Riviant, Briente.
After clearing out all of Black Hour, he had immediately spread out a map and headed here.
When he arrived, having flown day and night without rest, his appearance was in no small disarray.
'Still, this should have thrown off pursuit.'
There were no traces. Though some villagers had witnessed Verden, with only a vague description, tracking someone across a long distance was no easy matter.
Even for Black Hour. All the more so, when they were in the middle of a war with the magic towers, they had no leisure to send their main force after him.
'If possible, I'd prefer they never even knew of my existence.'
Sitting at the desk, Verden ate the breakfast given by the inn, gathering his thoughts.
Much had changed in a short time. Reaching the 4th tier, gaining a new attribute and magic. To move forward, he had to consolidate the abilities he possessed.
First, the 4th tier.
The 1st and 2nd tiers were foundations. While the 3rd tier contained many magics forming the basis, the 4th tier was filled with more destructive and diverse spells.
The firepower Verden had lacked was naturally solved as he grew to the next dimension.
'And the attribute and magic Harkan gave me.'
Gray magic power gathered in Verden's hand.
The mysterious function of this unfamiliar power, to create the phenomenon of magic, was so astonishing that even Verden, who had studied countless magical theorie's, was shocked.
The remnants of mana connected with one another to form a single structure, then amplified each other, creating a power that had never before existed. Its appearance was like a constellation.
How could he have created magic without even an attribute?
Harkan's memories had answered. This was the path of magic (魔道) he had walked.
For a mage, it was impossible.
Only a Magus, who had broken free from laws, could accomplish it, a kind of miracle. No matter how vast one's mana, or how many magics they learned, it was unreachable.
But, Verden was different.
He too was the sole being who had achieved the miracle of Defying the Heavens.
Unlike Harkan, without the infinite mana of a magic tower's power source, it would have been impossible, but a miracle had certainly been wrought.
From the world's perspective, Verden was a being who had stepped one foot into magic (魔道).
But Verden himself did not acknowledge it.
It was not something he had achieved on his own, without the heart of the magic tower and the tower master's collection, he could not have even attempted it.
His magic (魔道) had not yet begun.
Verden toyed with the gray mana, thinking.
'Harkan's magic will need to be improved.'
Harkan's five stars, the Five-Star Constellation.
At his current level, he could only handle the first star, and even that consumed mana far too severely. The destructive power was overwhelming, but at this rate, it was unreasonable to use it in real combat.
"It'd be better if, instead of one great thing, it split into several smaller ones…"
Something seemed almost within reach, but nothing clear struck him.
He could only set the direction of improvement and research slowly. He also needed to dismantle Black Hour's compass. This city of Briente was well-suited to spending such time.
Stretching, Verden looked up at the ceiling.
Then what was most needed right now?
Then suddenly, his eyes fell on the staff lying beside the bed. A rod reworked into a staff after being taken from a former adventurer thief, a weapon he had wielded even in battles against Gluttony, the Wailing Knight, and Black Hour.
Scratches covered it, and even the staff's gem was not intact.
"A new piece of equipment, then."
The weather would be turning colder soon anyway, so a new robe would also be necessary.
He had more than enough money. And since adventurers often came to rest in this city, the facilities were quite good as well.
Having decided what to do, Verden moved immediately.
***
Though still morning, the streets were full of people.
Ordinary families, laborers carrying loads, adventurers with thick purses heading to the forge, even nobles in luxurious carriages.
Verden wandered among them.
'I don't know which place is good. It'd be nice if someone guided me.'
At least, a recommended shop.
As he stroked his chin, glancing about, he spotted a familiar sign.
'Con Merchant Guild?'
It was the very guild Conrad, whom he had met in Baron Pythe's territory, had spoken of.
He had said it was a family business, and had told Verden to give his name if he ever visited in the future.
How convenient.
Without hesitation, Verden entered the Con Merchant Guild building. As he approached the counter, the guards nearby narrowed their eyes in wariness.
A man with round glasses bowed his head.
"Welcome to the Con Merchant Guild. Our guild usually specializes in wholesale, and at times deals in special items that cannot be found on the market. What have you come to order, sir?"
"An acquaintance told me. If I needed to obtain something, I should visit the Con Merchant Guild."
"Oh, you were introduced? May I ask that person's name?"
"Conrad."
Conrad?
The man blinked in surprise. Verden continued.
"In Pythe's domain, I once saved his life. Later, he told me if I gave his name at the Con Merchant Guild, I would never suffer a loss."
He had heard of it.
Not long ago, in a letter Conrad had sent, there had indeed been mention of nearly losing his life to thieves and demi-humans on the way to Pythe's domain. And also of a mage who had saved him.
Ash-gray hair, blue eyes, and a handsome appearance.
"Could you be… Sir Asher?"
Verden nodded.
The man straightened, then bowed again, this time more respectfully.
"My name is Condor. I manage the Briente branch of the Con Merchant Guild. To think I failed to recognize the benefactor who saved my cousin, I have no words."
"It's alr—"
"Oh, how rude! To keep a benefactor standing for so long. Please, come with me. We shall prepare the finest tea and refreshments for Sir Asher. Later, we can gradually discuss what goods you desire. As Conrad himself said, there will certainly be no loss."
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The family motto of the Conrad family, merchants from birth.
Such a reception was only natural, of course.
'He must truly be Conrad's family,'
Appearance aside, he was just as talkative.
Verden nodded, and followed Condor toward the Con Merchant Guild's special reception room.