Chapter 326 - Return
The first Adventurer's Guild was established about 300 years ago.
The Demon King, the strongest Transcendent in history, founded the Magic Nation about 500 years ago.
Far beyond that, in a much older age.
Instead of the concept of "adventurers" who specialized in subjugating demi-humans and abnormal species, there existed individual monster hunters who took on private requests.
Unexplored regions were scattered everywhere, but that is still the same even now. There are still places humanity has yet to pioneer.
Historical records state this:
When compared only by its backdrop, the world of that era was not much different from today.
Only closer to primal survival.
But, there was one stark difference.
"Eight hundred years ago…."
"Yes, that was when the Transcendents moved directly."
Nations formed collectively, and overwhelming individuals.
Beings with ambition rampaged to seize absolute interests, plunging the entire continent into unprecedented war.
Collapsed cities, corpses piled like mountains… death.
Yet it did not lead to the destruction of the continent.
Darkness and light, as always, coexisted.
The Luas Church stepped forward to save suffering humanity, and the Transcendents who stood with them confronted every being that caused chaos.
And they won.
Thus, it became an age of turning point.
"The various historical records spread throughout the world all write of it that way. Most historians also believe it so."
"Then… you mean history itself is completely wrong?"
"No, the general flow is the same as what is known. But, only the most important part was omitted."
The Explorer of the Unknown, Legrit, raised her index finger.
"At the center of it, there was 'a certain nation'."
"A nation?"
"I don't know its exact name. What I do know is… that nation turned half the continent into a sea of blood. It wasn't enough that it overwhelmed the great powers blocking its way, it completely annihilated them. From the elderly to children, leaving not a single living creature behind. Even Transcendents."
The number of dead was truly beyond count.
Because the world was filled with corpses, countless Undead rampaged.
Verden furrowed his brows.
"A nation with such power really existed?"
"That is why it perished. The Luas Church, the Magic Tower, and even other Transcendents joined forces to finally bring about its downfall. And the Luas Church, which was the primary religion at the time, sought to erase its very existence from the world… and as you can see, that was the result."
…It is hard to believe.
The scale of the event was far too great to accept thoughtlessly.
"Even so, to erase it completely from history… is that even possible?"
"What would be impossible? By humanity's standards, not even a hundred years, fifty years is enough for generations to change several times. And memory is volatile, while records turn into mistrust with time."
Legrit tilted her head.
"Asher, you must know too. About the abnormal species erased from history."
"…You're talking about Gluttony."
"Yes, the so-called monster that devours the world. The one who annihilated two nations single-handedly, and tried to consume every living thing upon the continent, was subjugated centuries ago by the Ark."
And it was not recorded in history.
"The reason the incident was covered up was simple. The power that Gluttony possessed was extremely dangerous, and the potential in the materials harvested from its corpse was even greater. There was no benefit in letting the world know."
"But there was a traitor among the Ark."
"…Because humans are not perfect, precisely because they are human. Even the Ark was no different. In any case, the point is that history does not equal truth. It is merely a record imbued with someone's intent."
She returned the old book to Verden.
"I don't know where you got this, but it's best not to show it to others. The script is unrecognizable so it has no value, but… if the highest echelon of the Luas Church learns of it, who knows what they might do."
"You mean they might come to kill me?"
"Perhaps. That side is extreme in many ways. Especially the current 'Saintess'. She's very dangerous. Both in temperament… and in power."
There was strong wariness in Legrit's voice.
"So be it. But how did you come to know all this?"
"Because exploring the unknown is my duty. In the places the world's gaze does not reach, the things hidden by the world abound. And secrets known to only the rarest few also lie there. You'll understand once you become a Captain yourself."
A Captain, huh.
Not that I ever thought to become an executive of the Ark.
"Then, are your questions all answered? Well, as a Mage, is your thirst for knowledge satisfied?"
"History from 800 years ago is fascinating. But one last favor, if I may."
Verden asked.
"Why is it that the Ark has no Luas Church presence?"
The Ark is the group that leads humanity.
And the Luas Church is a world religion solely for humans.
The intersection between the two was obvious.
Yet within the Ark, he had never once seen the symbol of the Luas Church.
Even among the Ark candidates who attended the exchange event, not a single one wielded holy power.
"It is a fitting question. The Ark does not interfere if one personally keeps faith. That the divine power and miracles of the Luas Church heal and protect humanity is undeniable fact."
But.
"As the Ark, we cannot."
"Why not?"
"Because God, is not human."
A resolute statement.
That was the conviction of the Ark.
***
The exchange event ended, and the situation was settled.
It was now time for the majority of Ark candidates, who had neither reason nor authority to remain, to return to their original posts.
The Listener said.
"Instead of using an airship as when you first arrived, you will be returning through the Ark's special spatial teleportation circle."
"Directly from here… I assume precautions against tracking were taken in advance."
"Of course. Otherwise, the Ark's existence would have been exposed long ago."
With explanations given, they moved.
The destination was the northern sector of the Ark.
After passing through several stern and silent corridors, a structure resembling ancient ruins revealed itself.
A massive circle with five layered magic circles overlapping.
Eight thick, blunt-ended pillars surrounded the teleportation array at the center, spaced at equal intervals.
Along the lines, violet light shimmered faintly.
A fivefold, multi-dimensional spatial teleportation.
With that, no one could possibly determine the coordinates.
"Do the other candidates use this too? It seems emptier than I expected."
Members of the Ark stood guard in various places.
Yet, despite it being a return day, none of the other candidates he had seen at the exchange were present.
"Well, of course."
The answer came from Leira instead.
"Many of the candidates still haven't recovered from the mental shock caused by
"But their health is not in danger. They say it'll take a few days to fully return to normal."
The culprit who had made a mess of the exchange.
Verden, receiving the gazes of Leira, Listener, and Taila, turned his head away.
He admitted it was excessive, but he had no regrets. Regret, not even a bit. Legrit, who had overseen it, had permitted it anyway.
"Let's return, then."
"…Asher, you do know how to relent, after all."
The two walked together.
They stepped onto the magic circle.
Vast magic power surged beneath their feet.
"Until next time, Lady Leira."
"Stay well, Taila."
Candidate and guide exchanged farewells.
"From the Principality to the exchange event… you've changed greatly in the meantime. When we meet again, I can hardly imagine how you'll have changed further."
The Listener, smiling, bowed.
"Ark candidate, Kalad. Thank you, for delivering what he left behind."
The candidate he had once overseen.
The item Kalad possessed, along with the notebook that contained his will, had been delivered to the Listener through Verden.
Thus, the mementos of the three who had challenged the Demon King's Tomb were all resolved.
"Then I'll see you next year, Sir Asher. Ah, unless something else comes up before then."
Verden nodded.
"So be it."
The farewells were done.
Listener and Taila signaled.
Immediately, magic power filled the circle, and dazzling light burst forth.
Fwaaah!
The passage of space opened.
The two figures disappeared within.
***
At the same time, in the hall of Exodium.
Six seats surrounded a hollow-centered round table, five of which were occupied by Captains as the Ark meeting resumed.
Since the exchange event had been held early, three turns remained.
The first of those turns, a continuation of the duties left unfinished last time.
The Watcher pointed to one.
"Guardian, you start."
"Ah, shall I? Well, my duty is simple enough."
A good-natured young man with blond hair and blue eyes cleared his throat.
First, the Guardian of the North.
"The Seal, is intact."
One line.
Brief, but certain.
The simplest, yet perhaps the most dangerous of duties.
Then came the Watcher of the world, and the Adjuster of balance.
"Except for the Kailiens, the trials that occurred in the world unfolded as foreseen."
"Last year, the number of failed trials exceeded two digits. Fortunately, many candidates survived. Thanks to their desperate resistance, completely overcoming the trials was impossible, but casualties were far lower than expected."
To observe and predict.
That was the essence of their duty. They were the eyes and the brain of the Ark.
Next, the Subjugator of calamities.
"In the Demon Sea… there is… no anomaly… no trace… of Dragons… was found…."
A chilling voice, as if tearing out a throat.
The other Captains showed no reaction, as though accustomed to it.
Of course, they already knew.
That the armored man who had once overcome the "Ancient Trial" was both sword and shield… and an intense wrath dreaming of vengeance.
Finally, the Explorer of the Unknown.
"Ah, right. Now that I think of it, you said you'd discovered something incredible. If I recall correctly, you promised to tell us after the exchange ended… I can expect it, can't I?"
The Adjuster lifted his head slightly.
Receiving the gazes of the four, the Explorer, Legrit, smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming.
"I, have obtained a clue about the 'First Magic Tower'."
"…!!"
The First Magic Tower.
The origin of the ten existing magic towers, a legend passed down only through word of mouth, never discovered by anyone.
"Explorer, is that true?"
"It's still only fragments, but it's certain. I don't know how long it will take to track the traces, but I was going to say I'd collect information and begin the exploration in earnest… but now, I've changed my mind a little."
"What? What do you mean?"
Legrit folded her arms.
"Once the location of the First Magic Tower is pinpointed, it will be made into a Trial."
"A Trial… you don't mean, you intend it for Asher…?"
At the name Asher, everyone reacted.
Even if it had not been his full strength, they had already heard that a mere candidate had defeated Legrit, the Warlord of the Arnak Empire, in the exchange.
The Guardian stroked his chin.
"Well… for the Explorer to yield the unknown. Ah, of course it's not that it's never happened before, but to yield the First Magic Tower of all things, I truly didn't expect it. Surely it will be classified as an Ancient Trial… whether it can be overcome aside, is there a particular reason you've made such a choice?"
"Of course there is."
Legrit declared.
"Because I am more curious about Asher's future, than about the First Magic Tower."
A Mado filled with possibility.
A man who wielded the techniques of the first Demon King.
And on top of that, one who retained his own humanity. There was no way she wouldn't be intrigued.
That very existence itself, was a great stimulus to Legrit.
'Well, perhaps I'll end up exploring the First Magic Tower with Asher anyway.'
She would grant it as a Trial.
But if the chance came, she would intervene.
If only one could be chosen, she would still attempt to seize both. That was simply her nature.
Legrit, hiding her sly intent, smiled.
"Well, it's not yet time to discuss the candidates though…."
The Watcher, who led the proceedings, muttered softly.
***
The Ark was an organization that had endured since ancient times.
A group founded by those who shared the will to act for frail humanity.
Its beginnings had been humble. There had been many moments of despair.
Yet through long years of secret activity, they upheld and practiced the ideals they pursued.
Thus was the foundation of the Ark made.
Even as time passed and it grew larger, even as the masters of the Ark changed, as members died or new ones joined, even when a traitor appeared who stole remnants of Gluttony.
Its core never wavered.
'Humanity is growing stronger.'
At present, it was humanity that ruled the continent.
Different from the past, when they had suffered as weak creatures.
No longer could selfish dwarves, indifferent elves, or barbaric beastkin dare oppress or look down on humanity.
The sorrow of the hunted had now been passed on to the demi-humans and abnormal species.
'But it is still but a sandcastle.'
For in this world, terrible dangers still lurked.
Yet the Ark too was mighty.
All the more so since it had taken its seat upon the Sky Island, Ark.
Especially, the one who had built the Ark, was immeasurably great.
He had not belonged to the Ark… yet so long as he existed, one could be certain that humanity would never face extinction.
That was what they had believed, centuries ago.
'Then, suddenly, he vanished without a trace.'
No word.
Long did they pursue his trail.
They succeeded in finding several remnants, and at last even located a clearly identified hideout.
But they could not enter.
They could not even dare to investigate.
'…Because it was not my role.'
For if so, then surely he had left something behind.
It was patience, like cutting one's bones.
Forcing themselves to turn away, they classified the discovered hideout as an Ancient Trial, waiting for the rightful one.
As had always been the way of the Ark.
'A fact known only to me among the Ark's members.'
The Demon King's Tomb.
That was only a temporary name.
It could not have been a tomb from the start.
For they did not believe he had died.
'And at last, one who overcame the Trial appeared.'
At first it was shock, and then disappointment.
Even as time passed, he did not return to the Ark.
The magic circle he left, the supreme octagram, also remained silent. There was not the slightest response. The hideout they had found was likely already empty.
Perhaps, they were too late.
Regret even rose, wondering if they should have entered themselves.
Yet on the other hand, there was hope.
At least, it was fact that a figure had been born, one who could become a Captain, one who would lead humanity in the future. More important than finding him, was the duty as the Ark.
And then.
'To think he would inherit the true legacy of the Demon King.'
One who wields
A successor not of blood.
They could not be sure, but it was a great change.
Perhaps, Asher might one day find him.
Perhaps the hideout hidden in the Kingdom of Estiria had been given such a role.
'And so, I have only one task.'
To watch, and to wait.
As they always had.
For fear of ruining any arrangement he might have left behind. As the Ark's ideals dictated, there would be no interference.
But, if possible, they would ask.
"Demon King, where are you now?"
And.
───Guard the Ark. For the salvation of the world.
What on earth was the meaning of those last words he had left?
The current master of the Ark looked outward.
The sky where light and darkness coexisted.
That scene remained unchanged.
***
A shallow forest, swept by the winter wind.
Above the place veiled by dense trees, space twisted like a vortex. Verden and Leira, leaping through space, set their feet upon the ground.
At last, they had returned to Riverungr—
"───Uwek."
At once, Leira retched.
Because it had been a multi-dimensional spatial teleportation, her nausea must have been worse than usual.
Unlike seasickness, the stomach turmoil caused by teleportation could not be solved with imbued magic, so there was no way to help.
Leaning against a tree, she waved her hand.
"Asher… go back to the city first. I'll, ugh, calm down a bit before coming…!"
"Will you be all right?"
Leira nodded repeatedly.
Indeed, it would look strange if a noble of the Kingdom of Estiria and a Mithril-rank adventurer entered together from outside.
Leira was already being monitored by the guild master.
"Then I'll head back first. But just in case…."
He gathered mana at his fingertips, inscribing a magic circle.
A concealment magic circle.
As long as Leira did not go outside, she would hardly be discovered by anyone.
Taking the minimal precaution, Verden quickly left the forest.
'I wonder if Adrian is doing well.'
Only a few days had passed, yet it felt as though weeks had gone by.
Soon, Verden entered Riverungr.
But… the atmosphere of the city was entirely different.
The citizens on the streets were murmuring.
"For Mayor Trovren to vanish… what on earth is this bizarre affair?"
"I heard his aide is dead, and even the guild master of the Adventurer's Guild was attacked. But they don't seem to know who the culprit is."
"Indeed, and on top of that, even the Guardian…."
Summing up the rumors, it was this.
The guild master of the Adventurer's Guild had been assaulted.
The mayor's aide and the city's guardian had been killed.
Lastly, the mayor of Riverungr had disappeared… no, been kidnapped.
Not a single one of these was ordinary.
Feeling an instinct stir within him, Verden stepped into the inn.
"Ah! You've returned, my lord."
Adrian greeted him at once.
Unharmed, perfectly well. Verden gave a slight nod, his gaze sliding toward the corner of the room.
There, a man lay.
A middle-aged man, unconscious, bound, with his right arm severed.
"Is that, perhaps, Mayor Trovren?"
"Yes, it is."
As expected.
But the task he had left Adrian was not the kidnapping of the mayor, but the investigation of Riverungr.
"Adrian, what on earth happened while I was gone?"
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