Chapter 78. The Agency (1)
While waiting for the banquet to begin, Verden toured the capital of the principality, Ridron.
As the capital of a nation, the marketplace was incomparably larger than other cities. Perhaps he might even find something useful.
He strolled leisurely, starting from the shopping district and down to the antique shops tucked away in the corners.
But nothing caught Verden's eye. There were plenty of expensive weapons and armor crafted from rare materials, yet not much that a mage of Verden's level could make practical use of.
It seemed that mage equipment wasn't particularly popular in the capital.
If I want better equipment, I'll have to commission it, or get it from some auction house.
Next, he headed for the library.
Thanks to the letter of identification Count Rodenmeyer had given him, he could borrow highly valuable books free of charge.
Verden borrowed several books on the enchantment branch of magic and brought them back to the mansion.
He sat firmly at his desk, swiftly flipping through the pages. They contained all manner of enchantments—mental protection, resistance enhancement, and more—but none of them were what Verden needed.
…Found it.
A 4th-tier spell of the enchantment branch, Elemental Enchant.
A spell that imbues objects with elemental effects, it could only be used if one's elemental magic had reached the upper level of the 4th tier.
The spell itself wasn't especially rare, so he had planned to acquire a book on it sooner or later. Now that the chance had come, he intended to teach himself.
After reading the book three times in full, Verden gripped his staff and focused his mind.
It was his first time attempting the spell, so he couldn't succeed right away, but he still had plenty of magic power left.
Without resting for a moment, he kept at it, again and again, until his ninth attempt.
Crackle!
The gem on his staff blazed with current.
A blue streak trailed behind, leaving afterimages along its orbit. This enchantment spell would create great synergy with the sword techniques he had honed while training with the Ridron knights.
Verden gave a small smile at the dazzling magical effect.
"The effect is good, but more than that, it'll be perfect to show off at the Agency's match."
Now all that remained was to adapt to the spell before the time came.
Time passed, and the day of the banquet arrived.
***
The grand hall of the royal castle was teeming with people.
Delicious and fresh dishes were replaced at intervals, while the fragrance of fine wine delighted the senses.
High-ranking nobles conversed without a hint of disorder.
Voices could be heard from all sides, yet never loud enough to be called noisy. Those who were not nobles quietly enjoyed their food at the corners, lest they disturb the mood.
Today marked the third day since the banquet had begun.
Famous singers and actors had already provided entertainment, and a midnight ball had added to the festivities.
So far, the banquet had been little more than socializing for the nobility.
But today was different.
Today, the match that would crown the Agency was to be held.
At last, the host of the banquet appeared.
"His Highness, the Grand Duke of Riviant, is entering!"
The Grand Duke of Riviant and his wife.
And their son, the First Prince, followed close behind.
"The Second Prince isn't here."
"He's always disliked social gatherings. He gave up his claim to the throne early on and devotes himself solely to state affairs."
Soon, the Grand Duke stopped walking.
At the royal family's entrance, everyone fell silent and bent on one knee in respect.
When the Grand Duke gestured, the high nobles began rising one by one. From the top of the staircase where all eyes were fixed, the Grand Duke's voice resounded through the hall.
"Judging from your faces, it seems the banquet has pleased you. Everyone, raise your glasses."
A banquet required lightness, not the heaviness of council.
And brevity in ceremony, with weight given to substance, was the Grand Duke's nature.
With only a simple greeting, he lifted his glass high.
"For the principality."
───For the principality.
The true beginning of the banquet.
Each person's drink went down their throat according to taste.
And as the atmosphere slowly rose, as everyone's attention gathered without exception, the Grand Duke spoke.
"As you all know, an abnormal species known as the Soul Tree appeared in the city of Lorian. Its danger rivaled that of a special-class creature, and had it gone unchecked, not only Lorian but other cities could have faced destruction. Yet the damage was minimal. That was because there were those who risked their lives to stop it. Among them, there was one mage."
Everyone listened intently to the Grand Duke's words.
His calm voice echoed across the entire hall.
"He subjugated the vicious Undead, the Wailing Knight, rescued a missing noble, and played a decisive role in the subjugation of the Soul Tree in Lorian—a young mage."
At that moment, the main doors opened, and a man appeared.
A man with ashen hair and piercing blue eyes. His mysterious appearance drew every gaze in the hall at once.
Some gasped in admiration, others in shock.
The Grand Duke pointed to Verden directly and introduced him.
"The mage Asher. A new star of this era."
***
That's a rather grand introduction.
It wasn't as if he had fabricated anything, but somehow, it felt like having gold plastered on his face.
Especially that part about being a new star.
Still, the reaction around him wasn't as bad as he had expected.
Whether it was thanks to the Grand Duke's voice, or the atmosphere itself, everyone seemed to accept it calmly. Perhaps the nobility were simply used to such expressions.
Verden walked across the crimson carpet.
Even under dozens of gazes, he carried himself proudly without the slightest hint of shrinking back.
He arrived at the foot of the staircase, before the Grand Duke, and went down on one knee with his head lowered.
It was an unfamiliar form of greeting, but not awkward enough to be displeasing in the eyes of others.
Murmurs rippled around him.
"He subjugated a special-class creature, did he?"
"Be precise. Not a special-class creature, but an abnormal species on par with one."
"…Isn't that the same thing?"
"Hah, I heard he's reached the 4th tier, but he's far too young."
"Surely there must have been some mistake in the report?"
"No way. They wouldn't have made a report to His Highness without verifying something like that…"
Curiosity shifted into deep suspicion.
A small spark had spread like fire on dry wood. As expected, the Grand Duke was inwardly satisfied, yet outwardly feigned ignorance, addressing the nobles.
"I understand your concerns well. That is why I have decided to let Asher participate in the Agency's match. Of course, with his own consent. Isn't that so, Count Rodenmeyer?"
"That is correct, Your Highness."
The nobles' eyes all turned at once to Count Rodenmeyer.
Their sharp gazes seemed to demand when he had maneuvered this, but the Count ignored them with composure.
"Then, with Asher's introduction complete, let us move on to the next."
At the Grand Duke's snap of his fingers, people entered the banquet hall.
A man covered head to toe in scars, a gentleman carrying himself like a noble, a woman with fierce eyes.
Each of them was a contestant, hired by the nobles for the match. All the participants except Verden paid their respects to the Grand Duke.
"You look more formidable than last year. Then, I'd like each of you to introduce yourselves in turn. And share your determination for the match as well."
The Grand Duke pointed to one of them.
That participant proudly declared his background, and one after another, the rest followed suit. Verden quietly studied their faces.
Impressive careers.
Adventurers, mercenaries, even academy instructors—every one of them had made a name in their respective fields.
In particular, the former academy instructor with a monocle, and the scarred mercenary said to have operated in the Republic, stood out.
It seemed likely that those two would be the final opponents Verden would face in the match.
At last, Verden's turn arrived.
"Asher, you are the last. Since your introduction is already complete, why don't you at least share your resolve?"
"Understood."
What should he say?
There was no need to rack his brain. All he had to do was show everyone here his unwavering confidence in his own ability.
Verden lifted his head, his clear eyes locking on the Grand Duke. And he declared firmly.
"I'll finish it quickly."
At that moment, silence fell over the banquet hall.
***
"Arrogant…!"
A count frowned deeply.
Those personally hired by a noble could not become his face, yet they were his pride, his boasting. The more illustrious their record, the greater the prestige they brought.
To have such a figure under one's banner was enough to inspire envy and superiority among peers. And if they achieved meaningful results in the Agency's match, it would tangibly raise the family's standing.
That was why Verden's remark was enough to provoke their ire.
Even giving one's all might not suffice, yet he claimed he would finish it quickly! It was tantamount to trampling not only the other participants but also the nobles' very pride.
"Hah, I can't tell if it's confidence or conceit."
"Does he imagine he defeated the Soul Tree on his own? If not for the Bloodied Sword, he would have died before doing anything!"
"Thinking about it again, there's nothing he accomplished alone, is there? In Viron, it was the Butcher, and in Lorian, it was the Bloodied Sword at his side. This raises some very reasonable doubts."
"There are always those who cling to others' strength to inflate their own fame…"
The atmosphere of the hall boiled over.
Challenging the pride most precious to the nobles—it was only natural.
The Grand Duke looked at Verden.
A faint smile, visible only to himself, tugged at his lips. That smile held conviction. A certainty that no matter who came forth, he would win.
Excellent.
To stir the atmosphere this much with just a single line.
Some nobles looked angry, but if one observed closely, one could see the expectation glowing behind their eyes. The spectacle would be a great success.
But aside from that, the Grand Duke sighed inwardly as he gazed at Verden.
He possesses extraordinary talent, but… he has the nature of a rebel. It will be difficult to bring him under my wing.
Looking at his record, even with such power, he only operated in Gray rather than joining the Adventurer Guild.
It was clear he disliked belonging anywhere that forced discipline or rules upon him.
If one tried to take him by force, he would surely flee. Worse, no one could know what he might do in the process.
Outstanding mages, in talent as well as in spirit, often defied common sense. Unless they desired it themselves, they would never submit under anyone.
And as a king's instinct told him, Verden was a mage who would rule, but never be ruled.
Of course, if he loses the match, it ends there.
Words spoken could not be taken back. Especially not here.
If Asher lost, he would be seen as a boastful mage full of empty bravado. Everything he had accomplished would be belittled, and all that he would accomplish dismissed as false.
What would it be, he wondered.
"Perd."
"You called, Your Highness."
The principality's chief court mage, Ferd Danians, a 5th-tier magus who had reached the way of magic.
"Prepare the stage."
"Larger than what we spoke of before."