When everyone fell silent, waiting impatiently to hear what Akrin would say next. Not without reason. Aside from his narcissistic attitude, the information that came straight out of his mouth was extremely accurate. So there wouldn't be a single fool who would doubt his words.
"As Wanner said. The city of Geaz has truly disappeared, replaced by a bottomless black hole the size of Geaz itself."
"What—"
"See!? I told you!" Wanner shouted loudly, but his mouth was immediately covered by Mr. Pirlo so he wouldn't disturb. *Humph.
"That happened a day ago. And I saw from the very beginning what occurred. 200 Quiet Guardian troops.." Strangely, he was sweating more than all of us who were listening. "Have all died including the Platoon leaders. And do you know what happened after that?."
*Gulp.
"11 of their higher-ups..
.. Appeared at the same time."
He said that in a low voice.
"O-Oy-Oy!" Carteus immediately cut in on Akrin's words. "What kind of nonsense story is that?. Did you catch Wanner's insanity too?."
"Hah!? Do you think I'd exaggerate information?. Who do you think I am?!"
"Ugh."
Carteus couldn't say anything more after being snapped back at by Akrin so quickly.
"No one is doubting you, Kid."
"You too, Mr. Pirlo?."
"It's just that, isn't it impossible for the Quiet Guardian to move just like that. On what basis are you claiming they're Quiet Guardian?. Even I, who am already old, have never seen a single one of them."
"Their armor. It bears the Sezavield Rateil emblem!. Their dominance. Their power. Not even one of us here can match them. DO YOU ALL THINK WHAT I WITNESSED WAS JUST A DELUSION!?. It's true that the information about the 11 higher-ups was only a mere Rumor among the city elites, but why is it that the number I saw was exactly 11!?"
When his raised tone ended, he calmed himself down. Even I was still holding my breath when he shouted like that. I don't know how the others reacted, whether they were being dismissive or holding their breath too.
*Wush. I quickly raised my hand to break the silence.
I took the initiative to do something as proof whether what he said was true. It's not that I doubted his words considering his extraordinary track record, but without any real visual display, wouldn't it just be empty talk?.
"How about—"
"No need, Miss Dasni." Akrin quickly cut off my words.
"I already recorded what I saw."
*Scret. A screen that faced away from him suddenly appeared.
"Humph! Woah! That's a Recorder, right?!" Wanner tried to speak even though his mouth was covered by Mr. Pirlo's hand.
'Recorder'. Is a recording device written about in a book inside the Guild library. Just like its name, the tool functions to record, and can display the recording like it is doing right now.
However, a Recorder isn't something just anyone can own, because it is a truly rare magical tool. It might even be countable on one's fingers.
That's because a Recorder can only be obtained on the deepest floors of a Dungeon with a low percentage chance from treasure chests. Another way to get it is by buying it from an adventurer who owns one at a very high price.
I don't know how Akrin got it. Whether by going into a Dungeon since he is Rank-S 2, or maybe stealing it from someone who had it since that's his specialty.
*Tup. Tup. Everyone immediately moved positions so they could see the screen from the front.
Right on the screen, it showed several people floating in the air, above a massive black hole.
"That hole is the city of Geaz that disappeared." Akrin explained.
"That's the hole I saw! See!? I told you!!!"
"The one who did it was that golden-haired man. I don't know whether he's the leader of the Quiet Guardian or not. But what's clear is, there's no way someone from the Outer Slums could do that."
"What the hell is that!?. Forget about the hole, who's that little kid in the middle!?" Carteus cut in while everyone was still stunned, including me.
"You've already forgotten him, even though you were just talking about him earlier?."
"Eh?!"
"That's Reigh. Reigh Asteion. The person you've been talking about all this time. And I was surprised too that you were talking about the same person. And the people behind him, I don't know because I've never seen them. But they're strong people too. Maybe they intentionally let me go or they didn't even realize the presence of a small fry like me."
I turned, looking at Akrin's face that was slowly smiling.
"I thought this would become an interesting case because Miss Dasni used her Special right, turns out this exceeds my expectations."
"This is bad, Mr. Pirlo. We have to immediately—" Fusra's words suddenly stopped. "Where are you going!?"
"That old man already left earlier." Wanner replied. "He must think this is a very serious matter, so he went straight to report it to Good Mother."
"Just leave him." Curtius said softly. He was still carefully watching the screen. "Looks like this will become a Level 4 Emergency case. ACKH! WHY DID YOU TURN IT OFF, GWENDA YOU BASTARD!"
"DON'T CALL ME BY MY CLAN NAME!"
"WHATEVER! TURN THE SCREEN BACK ON!"
"WHATEVER TOO! LIKE I CARE!?"
"What did you say?!"
*Tsk. "I don't have time to argue with all of you. Bye~" *Swish. He disappeared, leaving no trace at all. Only deep annoyance in Curtius' heart.
"GWENDA YOU BASTAAAARD!"
"Then, I'm leaving too." *Tap. Tap. Fusra said while stepping toward the exit.
"Eeeeh?... Why's everyone dispersing.." Wanner complained.
No one responded to that.
"Fuhehehe... You all must regret it and want to quickly get away from me to cover up your embarrassment for not believing my words, right?.."
*Kh... "A kid like you.. That was just a coincidence.."
Carteus responded because he's the type who doesn't want to be insulted.
"Fufufu... Really?."
I stood up, and began giving him a respectful bow.
"Forgive us, Mr. Wanner. Honestly, earlier I did not believe your words. But now, with proof from Miss Akrin, it has been clearly proven."
"It's fine, Miss Dasni~. Next time, your attitudes should change okay~. Bye~." He acted relaxed, and slowly his body began to lift.
*Whooosh. Bursting out the door first right when Fusra opened it.
"Alright."
*Yawn.. "We should go too, sis. There's another call from the city of Xerna."
*Tuk. Tuk. Carteus' footsteps sounded like heavy stomps. "Lazy. Not in the mood anymore. Who do they think they are?! Calling us just for a Rank B Dungeon."
"But it's pretty good, right?. We can get 400 gold coins in a day."
"Hah!?" *BRAAAK. The door that had just been closed was slammed open again. "That's not right! Especially their poor city! Those coins are probably the result of forced labor from their people!"
"Wouldn't it be better if we just take it?. Besides, if a monster Tsunami happens because their Dungeon isn't cleared, we'll be the ones in trouble."
"WHATEVER! Just say we're busy!"
I chose to act as if I didn't hear that. "We're leaving too." I said to my subordinates.
"Yes." *Tap. Tap. We all stepped out of the room.
••• Now, the story moves to a familiar white room •••
Inside that white room, Cyrn sat alone on a white chair facing a table.
*Swish. "I have returned, Sir." Someone from behind Cyrn suddenly appeared. His voice sounded like a man's.
"How is it, One?. Did the Adventurer Guild move?."
"Yes. Pirlo has left to report to Good Mother. However.."
"However?."
"I don't know the result. Because at that time, I also left immediately to come here."
"Well that's normal.. Good Mother's location is in a different world. Only the Guildmasters know."
"Forgive me."
*Wush. Wush. Cyrn waved his right hand. "It's fine. Let me guess, They moved because of information from Akrin Gwenda, right?."
"Yes. Your decision was indeed correct to let her witness it from the start."
*Ring. Ring. "Go.'SHE' is calling me."
"Understood." *Swish. Disappeared.
••• The story shifts again to a place where only Pirlo is walking down a corridor •••
*Tup. Tup. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silent corridor.
In the silence of the corridor before he reached the door,
"What is it, my sweet Pirlo?~ How rare for your steps to be in such a hurry~".
A very melodious, gentle voice greeted him.
That voice echoed along the corridor.
Pirlo, with hurried steps, *Slam!. Opened the door with a swift movement.
"Forgive me. It's true. There is a big problem."
*Huff. Huff.
Looking up,
"Mother."
"How cute~"
Behind that woman stood a painting of a woman whose body faced fully forward with white cloth covering her sensitive areas.
The woman in the painting looked extremely beautiful and charming with golden yellow hair.
*Slurp. "Hm... I see~.. So it's time."
Turning her body.
Looking blankly toward the face in the painting.
"Someone with Two Souls has appeared.. who will become your opponent.. Good Father.."
"Two Souls?. I-I know you can see my memories, but in the information conveyed by Akrin that I just received, she did not mention—"
"Pirlo."
"Y-Yes!"
Good Mother's eyes turned even more golden.
Looking back, staring at Pirlo sharply.
"Order all Guildmasters in my name. 'Support Reigh Asteion On a full scale'."
While Pirlo was still stunned without saying a single word, the woman turned her face back again, looking once more toward the face in the painting and then murmured softly.
"It's true Desire isn't Justice. But instead, Justice without Desire is nothing but emptiness."