The green light that flickered for a moment had already faded, but a heavy silence followed. They were like students scolded by a scary teacher. I usually felt sorry for adults who behaved like that, but somehow today it only served to annoy me.
If I had known this was going to happen, I would have stayed home sleeping.
Everyone was beside themselves. How much had they neglected information gathering this month? I didn't drag my tired butt here to hear this.
Ugh, I'm so tired...
Maybe I was in a bad mood because of my fatigue. No, it had to be that. If I were the same as always, I wouldn't be so irritated, and even if I was, I would never make it so obvious.
Tap, tap.
I frown. Should I end this before wasting any more time? But that would be a big disappointment.
Tap.
I finished deliberating and slowly said: «Again».
Yes, let's do one more round. You never know what may arise.
«I'll give you another chance».
When I looked around, the members who made eye contact with me shuddered and exchanged glances with each other. It was quite satisfying. With this type of environment, others were more likely to play the cards they had saved.
Luckily, no one points out what I did.
I was able to skip my shift without problems. Using everything is rubbish, I have a free pass in this round.
If I look at it like that, I'm less angry now.
While waiting for them to start, one of those at the table stopped exchanging glances with the others and took the initiative.
«So let's go in reverse order for this round, pshehe». Despite the tension, Clown looked me in the eyes and let out his characteristic laugh. Still, I was looking forward to it. I could sense some determination in his voice. He probably took the first turn because he had at least a little confidence. «But, before we begin...». Clown looked at the other members and said, «I hope no one tries to sneak out this time».
For a second, I thought it was directed at me, but I quickly realized that wasn't the case. Clown was issuing a warning right now. I'm going to play my ace, so you guys better do the same.
Unfortunately, none of the other members responded to the warning. But did he take that silence as an agreement? Soon, Clown placed his hand on the jewel. «Noark plans to invade the city».
As soon as the green light came on, the eyes of everyone present widened behind their masks. I was too exhausted to react outwardly, but I was in more or less the same state.
«Invade the city?»
He was not referring to a war within the labyrinth, but to an invasion of the city. The people who abandoned the city walls were now planning to invade Rafdonia.
«Because?» Fox couldn't hide his bewilderment. «I thought the outside world was fine. Does Noark really need to go that far?».
It was a reasonable question and something I had also been wondering for a long time. First, Noark returned to the labyrinth to form an army when the outside world was supposedly fine.
And now they plan an invasion of the city? Is the exterior in worse condition than we thought? Or do they have any reason to end the kingdom?
There were many questions, but Clown reserved the right to remain silent. «I don't know... my shift is already over. Pshehe».
Yeah, that was definitely enough to get you through the round.
Clown looked at me before sitting back down in his chair to indicate that his turn had come to an end.
As a result, it was now Queen's turn. He remained silent for a moment. He seemed to be meditating on something.
Upon noticing this, Clown did not miss the opportunity to make fun of her. «Hey, what are you worried about? You're not thinking about ringing the bell again, are you?».
«I was just thinking for a moment», Queen replied dryly before putting her hand on the jewel. One way or another, Clown's comments had fueled his performance.
Good help.
While waiting, mentally giving Clown a sticker with a gold star, Queen soon opened her mouth. «This is information whose validity I have recently been able to confirm».
What's the point of that long introduction?
«The Master of the Round Table is Auril Gavis».
¿What?
The Round Table Master was the person who created this secret meeting and recruited promising players to join. To be honest, I had speculated that the old man I met that time was Auril Gavis. My suspicions began when I went back in time.
«To add the capabilities you mention, I will have to imbue it with more of my power».
After all, about twenty-two years ago, I created a Round Table-like system with that old man. Of course, until then it had only been a suspicion. I figured there was a good chance it was just a coincidence, since this idea wasn't particularly unique and could occur to anyone. The really strange thing was something else.
They act the same way.
Auril Gavis had created this spirit world and gathered promising players to help them grow, just like the Master did at this Round Table.
«What are you talking about? I-is that man... Auril Gavis?» fox stammered, in complete disbelief as she was someone who had followed Master from the beginning, but Queen's response did not change.
«It's true».
«So it was he who brought us into this world...?».
«According to our research, yes».
Knowing that the GM backed Queen, Fox didn't even bother to deny it.
Shaaaaaa.
As soon as the green light on the jewel went out, Queen withdrew her hand and looked at Clown, giving him a look that seemed to say: «What do you think?».
It was a little funny. His pride must have been quite hurt by his comment earlier, considering that he sought Clown's reaction before mine.
These guys have good synergy. You should face them every chance you get from now on. Anyway, the Master of the Round Table is Auril Gavis, huh?
Although in some ways I expected it, it was still a bit shocking. However, I decided to think about the old man later. I was too tired to think clearly right now.
Let's worry about memorizing all this so as not to forget anything.
While I was busy setting my new goal, the rest of the table regrouped and all attention turned to the next person. «Fox, now it's your turn».
We were already on the third shift. Was it because the last two pieces of information were so shocking? My mind was blank, but my concentration was sharper than ever.
Yes, this is more like the Round Table.
As expected, people had to be spurred on when they were careless. That little push had gotten me good information.
Ah, but I hope Fox doesn't release information about the expedition team because of the pressure... No, he sure has something else.
As he looked at her, half worried and half expectant, Fox finally revealed her information. It was related to the clan boycott he mentioned earlier, and it seemed like no one knew because the gem lit up green.
«Miss Fox, are you kidding me?».
«If you continue to do this, you will not be allowed to participate in these meetings from now on».
Clown and Queen, who until then had been scissoring each other, joined forces to raise an objection. That made Fox have to try one more time. It was a real shame.
«Adventurer's Guild Master Illya Adnus added a saboteur to the squad in the hope that the expedition would fail.».
If it weren't for that, the information related to the expedition would never have been mentioned on the table.
Tsk... I guess you reap what you sow. Well, this is no big deal.
I decided to be optimistic. To begin with, there was no guarantee that the Guild Master would be our ally. Additionally, if this information was made public to the rest of the group, the other members might find something new when investigating.
Hmm... maybe that's why he mentioned it.
I put aside any lingering remorse and focused on studying everyone's eyes. Clown's gaze seemed to ask, Guild Master? and I couldn't know what Reina was thinking. Goblin, for his part, looked at Fox with concern.
«Sir Adnus... a spy...?». Deer, who presumably belonged to the palace, had a slightly stronger reaction.
So, I guess no one knew anything.
«Now, it's a green light, but...» Crescent, who had remained silent throughout the second round, spoke up. He was clearly checking whether anyone was willing to raise an objection.
«Pshehe, well. He still has a long way to go, but...»
«He also got the green light on his first try».
Fox got just two pieces of information and ended his shift. So I assumed Goblin was the main problem now.
«…Es my turn.»
For favor, he digs a nada rarer.
«Why are you so nervous? Pshehe. Nobody expects anything from you».
«Hm, I don't know», Queen said. «Isn't that just your opinion?»
«Pshehe, I guess you think differently then, Queen».
«Even squirrels keep one or two acorns hidden for the winter».
It was unclear if that was a compliment or an insult. Goblin also seemed doubtful. «Hey... thanks...?», he responded in a strange tone. It seemed like he had decided to take it as a compliment.
«Pshe, I can't really tell if this guy is clueless or unfazed. It doesn't matter, go».
«Ah, right... A revelation... there has been a revelation-»
«Another revelation? That goddess Reatlas surely has a lot to say.»
«This is not from our church, but from Tovera Church!»
«¿Hmm? ¿Iglesia Tovera?»
«Yes! The Tovera Church. I don't know if you know this, but that church is known for rarely having revelations or oracles-»
«There is no need to give useless details, why don't you get to the point and tell us what the god said?».
Duende sighed at Clown's insistence and got straight to the point. «The Sage of Eternal Life has returned». It was very brief information. Although there was a green light, the reaction at the table was not very good.
«... That's all?»
«Yes... that's what the revelation said».
Clown laughed in disbelief and Queen asked a complementary question. «Was there any interpretation of the message by the cardinals or high priests? I think that would help us judge the value of this information».
«No. I could only hear the content of the message... first of all, so...». Goblin sounded bewildered. It seemed like he hadn't expected things to develop this way. Well, this round was a bit unusual. Normally a revelation was a free pass regardless of its content.
Should I help you this time? If I let it be, I don't know what kind of information he'll release next.
«Pshe. It seems like everyone thinks it's a bit scarce, so why not try something else again...»
As soon as I made a decision, I interrupted Clown and joined the conversation. «The Sage of Eternal Life...»
«...Sorry?»
It was the kind of nonsense that only I could spout at this table. «So he's back...» Form Five Lion Style: Judged as Entertaining. «Interesting.»
If I say it's okay, what are they going to do about it?
Dungeon and Stone was a team game, after all.