Chapter 51 – Forest of Demons (2)
"Haha, even though I disguised myself perfectly on the outside, how did you know it was me and used mana detection.... As expected of a Mage, your senses are quite sharp."
Listener sat across from Verden.
In that moment, his clothes changed from the waiter's outfit into something else, and as he took out food from under the cart and placed it on the table, he became a guest, indistinguishable from any other.
'Is that some kind of magic item?'
Or perhaps, an artifact.
To be able to change one's appearance in an instant, its versatility seemed considerable.
"But you're not changing your face?"
"Why do you assume the face you saw in Briente is my real one? Well, if that's your preference, I could change into a man for you—."
"..."
"Just kidding. I was only trying to lighten the mood, so would you mind putting away that mana?"
Listener cleared his throat and continued.
"Ahem, anyway, let's leave my appearance aside for later and start with the meal. The head chef here is quite skilled."
Listener cut into the steak and took a bite.
Verden, who had been staring at him, let out a small sigh and picked up his utensils. The taste was acceptable enough. With tea and cake served as dessert, Listener placed a small device on the table.
"...An item from the Artison Magic Tower?"
"You're well-informed. Yes, this is called 'Noise', a magic item sold at a high price by the Artison Magic Tower. Its performance is just as remarkable as its cost."
If the Bohemirn Magic Tower was specialized in the elemental branch, the Artison Magic Tower specialized in the crafting of various magic items.
As Noise was activated, the mana it released distorted the surrounding air.
With this, the conversation between Verden and Listener would not leak outside.
Listener clasped his hands together and smiled faintly.
"First of all, I want to thank you for coming. Honestly, I was worried Lord Asher might not come to Lorian. As I told you before, from my perspective of recruiting new members to the Ark, you are a suitable... no, an outstanding talent."
Suitable.
That was the evaluation the Ark had made of Verden just a month ago, the evaluation that Listener himself had held.
However, after meeting Verden in Briente, Listener had no choice but to revise his judgment immediately.
That vast, deep mana that had weighed down on him... of course, there were many across the world who possessed such levels of mana, but all of them had become renowned as mighty Mages.
Which meant the gray-robed Mage before him had reached a level comparable to them, at least in terms of sheer mana.
Though the exact level was uncertain, it was clear that such talent was impossible at his age. And considering his potential for growth, even more so.
Though Listener knew he had no intention of joining the Ark now, his mind might change in the future. This meeting was a move to raise that possibility.
"Now then, let's talk in earnest. Where shall we begin? The origins of the Ark? Or perhaps its purpose? If that seems too tedious, we can do a Q&A. Since Lord Asher has come here, it must mean there is something about the Ark you wish to know."
"Must it necessarily be about the Ark?"
"If you have other questions, you may ask them too. Of course, please understand that I cannot answer every single question if there are too many."
It didn't matter.
Other than information on the Ark, there was only one question Verden intended to ask anyway.
"Then I'll ask."
Verden took a sip of tea, then asked in a low voice.
"The Forest of Demons, what exactly is in there?"
A dark forest where not a single ray of sunlight reached.
The ominous feeling he had sensed there was not something to simply ignore. There was no evidence, so he could only explain it as a gut feeling, but for that very reason it had to be confirmed.
The gray trees.
Surely related, and possibly hiding something in the Forest of Demons that could threaten Verden now.
There had been no meaningful information gained from Count Rodenmeyer and Pale.
If they had known anything in the first place, the disappearance of the viscount would never have happened. For now, Listener was the only one who could provide Verden with a clue.
Listener's eyes widened slightly at the question.
Then he let out a small sound of admiration and smiled more deeply.
"The Forest of Demons... why do you ask me that?"
"Because you're the only one I can ask."
"Is it simply intuition? I thought Lord Asher leaned more toward evidential reasoning."
"That doesn't mean I ignore intuition."
And besides, asking cost nothing.
"The answer?"
"Haha, as I said, you really have sharp instincts. Very well, I'll answer. After all, my meeting with you here in Lorian is deeply connected to the Forest of Demons. But before that, you need to understand the Ark's ideology and purpose."
"Ideology and purpose?"
Listener cut the cake into bite-sized pieces and ate.
"As I said before, the Ark's ideology is 'humans grow strong through trials.' But these trials are never simple. Sometimes it's just one's own life, sometimes a city or even a kingdom, and at times, the entire world is involved."
"..."
"If one overcomes such trials and survives, one inevitably becomes the focus of the world's attention. One becomes a more significant being, a figure befitting the 'captain' who will one day lead humanity."
Listener's voice was serious, charged with conviction.
On the surface, it sounded hopeful.
But what Verden felt was different.
"...So you mean that what lies in the Forest of Demons is one such trial?"
"Correct."
"And if one fails the trial, what happens?"
Where there is light, there is shadow, and where there is success, there is failure.
At Verden's question, Listener set down his teacup.
"They will die. Sometimes a village will be massacred, a city will collapse, even a kingdom might fall. Perhaps the world itself."
"That is the Ark's ideology?"
"Lord Asher, do not misunderstand. We are a group for the fragile 'species' called humanity, not the protectors of every single human. What we do is find candidates and place them before trials so that they may become greater beings. We are not a shield to coddle humanity in the peace of stagnation."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Even without a sound, those nearby would feel a chill without knowing why.
Verden met Listener's eyes.
"Even if countless humans die?"
"That is precisely why the Ark exists, to prevent such things from happening."
And then.
"The trials are not created by us. They are the lurking dangers of the world. The Ark only analyzes and predicts them, specifies where they will occur, and leads candidates there."
Verden's brows narrowed slightly.
That meant the Ark's information network spanned the world. Despite wielding such power, they had remained utterly unknown until now, which heightened his vigilance.
'They might be even more dangerous than Black Hour.'
For now, Verden judged it best to maintain his current stance.
Not showing outright hostility, while keeping a certain distance. Though their true nature was uncertain, they clearly held some goodwill toward him.
"So, what is this trial?"
"That I cannot answer. The captain the Ark seeks is someone who can overcome sudden, unforeseen trials, someone prepared for every possible outcome. Of course, we do not impose 'trials that absolutely cannot be overcome.' Crushing a sprout before it even grows would defeat the purpose."
Having finished his dessert bit by bit, Listener wiped his lips with a napkin.
"Lord Asher, I've heard you usually accept commissions to earn payment and devote yourself to self-improvement. Ah, this was information I gathered before meeting you in Briente, so please don't misunderstand. As promised, I haven't investigated you at all since then. In any case, in that sense, I'd like to make a proposal."
"...A proposal?"
"Rather than a proposal, think of it as a kind of commission."
Listener continued slowly.
"Lord Asher, would you consider challenging this trial?"
"Didn't you say the trials are prepared for chosen candidates of the Ark?"
"Usually, yes. But not necessarily. Our purpose is the cultivation of a savior who will lead humanity, not the growth of the Ark's power. Even if one is not a candidate, the opportunity to attempt a trial can always be granted. Of course, it is not an offer made to just anyone."
"What about the existing candidate?"
"The trial in the Forest of Demons was originally prepared for 'her.' But it makes no difference if one more person is added. After all, a trial doesn't have to be overcome alone. Humanity has always drawn strength from cooperation and coexistence, hasn't it?"
'Her?'
At the next words, Verden's expression soured.
"You speak as if you're sure I'll accept."
"Haha, who knows? I'm only doing my utmost in the role I've been given. Here, take a look at this first."
Listener placed a small bag and a vial of transparent liquid on the table.
"The rewards I offer are these two. A 'spatial bag', and the other is 'Mandrake extract'."
A spatial bag was a magic item in the form of a bag imbued with spatial expansion.
Spatial magic, like lightning, was among the higher-tier attributes. Depending on the capacity and limits, the price varied drastically, but at minimum it was worth hundreds of millions.
Even for Verden, who did not carry much luggage, a low-grade one would still be highly useful.
'And the other one is....'
Huh?
"Wait. What did you just say? Mandrake?"
"That's right. What you see here is an extract drawn from a Mandrake, pure and untainted by any impurities, a 100% concentration."
"...Can I check it?"
"Of course. As much as you like."
Verden opened the stopper of the vial.
In an instant, a scent spread, fresh yet bitter. Just by smelling it, his mind cleared, and an indescribable coolness spread through his chest.
Undeniable, a genuine article.
'How did they get this....'
Since it was monopolized by the magic towers, obtaining it should have been nearly impossible.
That was why Verden could only be shocked by Listener's next words.
"It seems you like it. If you wish, I can pay these two rewards in advance."
"..."
Verden silently closed the stopper.
Tok tok tok tok.
His fingers tapped the desk rapidly, and soon he spoke.
"The spatial bag, I can somewhat understand. But offering Mandrake extract as a reward, and giving it in advance at that? No matter how I think of it, I can't understand. What's your true intention?"
"Consider it an effort to build credit where it is lacking. Our Ark holds goodwill toward Lord Asher, yet you suspect us. Naturally, the one in need must make the first move, must they not?"
"And if I take the reward but refuse to challenge the trial?"
"That is taken into account."
Their gazes crossed.
"We only guide, never force. Whether you take the reward and flee from the trial, or otherwise, the choice lies solely with you, Lord Asher. If you do not wish to, you may refuse. The spatial bag and Mandrake extract, we will count them as a failed investment."
But,
"To those who seek power, greater strength, to those who hold faith, greater conviction. Those who overcome trials always, without exception, become beings more excellent than before. We do not know what Lord Asher dreams of, but without doubt, the trial can become a step toward it."
Of course, it could also become a cliff. That was why it was called a trial.
Humans evolve by challenging and overcoming. Danger naturally accompanies that process, and in the end, only a handful reach the summit.
But those who settle for reality will never encounter opportunity. They will only be weeded out.
Most humans are like that. Lacking the courage to advance toward an uncertain future, they needed someone, a 'captain,' to lead them.
That was the reason the Ark was born.
Listener rose from his seat.
"If you stay in Lorian, you will soon see what the trial is. Even if you don't want to. So if you intend to refuse, you should leave this city at once. Surely, you will be caught up in it."
"..."
Verden answered with silence.
Listener smirked, waved his hand lightly, and changed into the appearance of the man Verden had seen in Briente.
Then, the very essence of his mana wavered and shifted into an entirely different form. Both outwardly and magically, he became someone else in an instant.
"Then, farewell."
Verden watched Listener's departing back.
The final technique he had shown was astonishing, but Verden's mind was occupied with other thoughts.
He gazed at the small vial before him.
'Mandrake extract.'
Depending on natural talent, its absorption varied, and though efficiency dropped rapidly with repeated use, simply drinking it increased mana and expanded mana circuits.
Without any effort or side effects.
'And the core ingredient of one of the highest elixirs, the Demon Core (魔核).'
By any measure, to a Mage seeking 'growth,' it was a treasure beyond compare.
But naturally, its effects made it incredibly difficult to acquire.
Unless fully matured, a Mandrake would wither in an instant, making artificial cultivation completely impossible.
Thus, the number of Mandrakes discovered in the wild each year was, worldwide, an average of fourteen.
Ten magic towers monopolized one each, and the rest barely entered circulation, only to fall into the hands of the powerful. Most people lived and died without ever seeing one.
Even in the Bohemirn Magic Tower, it was stored at the very top floor, so Verden had never seen it himself. His accumulated knowledge was only enough to distinguish its characteristics.
Yet they handed it over in advance, without any collateral.
'Utterly incomprehensible people.'
The ideology, the purpose, and the meaning of the Ark that Listener had spoken of.
Though he had gleaned a vague understanding of the organization, what they sought to gain by saving humanity was unknown, and that made it all the more suspicious.
Verden leaned back into his chair.
"...A choice."
To take the rewards and run, or to challenge the trial.
If he chose the former, he would gain these precious rewards without any loss.
But then, his relationship with the Ark would end. Their shown goodwill would have been ignored. In terms of profit and loss, it would not be a bad choice.
"But that cannot be."
Maintaining his relationship with the Ark could yield benefits.
Listener had said they could give more than Mandrake extract, and that piqued his interest. The Ark's goodwill was, indeed, tempting.
'And the pride of a Mage.'
To take only the rewards and flee in fear of the trial, what a disgraceful sight that would be.
Verden would never allow such a stain on his life as a Mage. For once he took that path, the next time he faced such a choice, he would surely walk it again.
Thus, he chose.
The path that could bring him closer to his goal.
'All of this, for my growth.'
Verden rose from his seat.
And not long after, the trial came.
***
Warrior Bardel.
He was a Platinum-rank adventurer, a veteran among veterans, who had survived countless battles.
Yet even he could not help but be shocked by the current situation.
"So many abnormal species...!"
"The roots! Cut the roots first!"
"Ludnia! What are you doing! Burn them all, now!"
The entire forest was a nest of treants.
The adventurers had banded together to resist, but there were far too many. Grotesquely twisted trees writhed, stretching their roots.
Bardel grabbed a trunk with brute force, yanked it forward, and split it cleanly in two with one swing.
"Watch your footing! There are many, but as long as you're careful of ambushes, we can break through!"
They had originally set out to find the missing adventurers, but against these numbers, their firepower was lacking.
They would need to return to Lorian, devise countermeasures, and gather not just adventurers but mercenaries and anyone else who could fight.
Especially Mages.
Ssssshh...
At that moment, a heavy, sinister aura surged from deep within the forest.
The horrifying sensation made Bardel's nerves stand on end. Having slaughtered the nearby treants, he swallowed hard and gripped his sword tightly.
'What now...!'
And then it appeared.
Gray roots crawled forward through the pitch-black forest. At their ends, something was bound.
"Th-those, aren't those the missing adventurers?"
"Olly? That's Olly!"
At the end of the roots, the missing adventurers were entangled.
For a moment, it seemed they might still be alive, but only for an instant. Their necks were twisted at unnatural angles, and their eyes were all clouded white.
'Wait, roots that control corpses...?'
He remembered.
Bardel's eyes widened, and he shouted at once.
"It's a Soul Tree! Do not face the corpses! Mages, make an escape route immediately! The rest of you, protect the Mages! Someone, anyone, run to the city and report what's happening!"
Soul Tree.
An abnormal species that seizes living beings and feeds on their life force. At birth, its threat level is no different from a treant.
But the Adventurer Guild had classified its overall danger level as equivalent to that of a special entity.
'So many corpses... could it have devoured all the missing adventurers!'
With his aura focused, Bardel saw it clearly.
It was three times the size of a typical treant, its branches hung with countless corpses. If someone of weak mind approached, the screams of the dead would shatter their sanity instantly.
If that thing reached the city, what would happen?
Surely, a massacre.
"I can't allow that."
Bardel could not kill them all alone.
But he could buy time for the adventurers to escape. Survival was something he excelled at.
Red aura surged, gathering on his blade.
'I'll hold.'
Until the adventurers reached the city, until reinforcements came.
Even if they never came, Bardel could not back down.
For he was an adventurer.
Before him, dozens of treants advanced, and from the gray roots, white-eyed corpses descended.
Their mouths opened, unleashing a chorus of horrific screams.