Hi, author here again.
Just two more weeks until the first anniversary of this story. But no, I don't prepare anything special. I've been enjoying my ride writing, and it will simply continue that way for a while.
Without further ado, here's the next chapter. See you again in the afterword.
[X][X][X]
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 08:55
"Vivi, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, I am sure, Peter"
The Swords of Darkness team was on their way to the mansion where Tsuare was currently working. Their visit was according to the verbal appointment made with Sebas, the head butler of the place, two days before. Viviana had made her decision to keep her offer unchanged. She would offer herself to work for the lord to pay for her sister's healing.
"I don't mean to be rude, but... don't you hate nobles and rich people?"
Despite Dyne's question, Viviana kept walking without any change in either her pace or face expression.
"That pig and the one whom Sebas-dono serves are different. If this lord of Sebas-dono was even half as evil, they would have done bad things to Sebas-dono and my sister already"
"You have a point, but I still can't help worrying"
Viviana stopped her walk, and the others also stopped behind her. She then turned around and looked at her partners in their face. Her own face showed a mixture of happiness and sadness, smiling but the eyes seemed as if she could leak tears anytime.
"Guys, I'm really happy that you're concerned for my well-being. But this is now my own problem, all of you don't need to get involved this far"
"Hey, no matter what happens, we're still a team! We have been risking our lives together, and that's the way it goes, even now!"
Lukrut made that statement confidently, and the other two nodded in agreement.
"Even in the case of the lord accepting your offer, we will at least send you off properly. And if it turns out you're treated like a slave, we will find a way to break you and Tsuare out of there!"
Once again, Peter and Dyne nodded in agreement with Lukrut.
"Guys..."
Viviana couldn't help crying in happiness, and it took a few more minutes until she calmed down enough for the group to resume the walk.
Later, they arrived at the mansion. Viviana was about to knock the front door, but someone opened it from the inside. Behind the door was the old gentleman they knew.
"Welcome, members of Swords of Darkness adventurer team. Please come in"
Sebas bowed as he said that.
"Thank you for accepting us, Sebas-dono"
Peter said that, feeling that as the leader of the team he should act as the representative to handle the majority of the talks. The team as a whole would look bad if, in any chance, multiple persons started talking at the same time. Therefore everyone had agreed to let Peter take the role.
Soon, everyone were seated in the guest room once again. Tsuare was nowhere to be seen, so Sebas once again was the one serving cups of tea for everyone. Everyone drank the tea slowly, waiting for anything Sebas would say next.
"My lord is ready to meet you in his study. But he allows you time to prepare your mind if you need it"
The group looked at each other, and everyone nodded, telling that they are ready.
"We should not make him wait. Please take us to him"
"Understood. Please follow me then"
The group stood up and followed Sebas into the inner part of the mansion. The mansion, while much larger than an average house, was still far smaller than the royal castle, so the distance from the guest room to the study should not be that far. However, for the adventurers, especially Viviana, the walk felt like it lasted forever.
Once they arrived in front of a door, Sebas made a gentle knock on it. Within a second, a voice could be heard from the inside.
"You may come in"
The voice, which definitely had come from the lord, was quite heavy. A befitting voice of someone with authority and power. Yet, somehow they all felt that the voice was quite familiar. None of them wanted to question that, though.
Sebas opened the door, and the room behind the door was revealed to the group. Befitting the name, at least half of the walls were occupied by bookshelves filled to the brim with books. There was a fireplace at one side, with a small table and a quite luxurious chair next to it. At the end of the room, right by the window, there was a work table and another big chair behind it, and the lord was sitting there with a book on his hand. Tsuare was standing next to him, ready to serve if he needed it.
The group couldn't help feeling awed by the atmosphere, but their attention was mostly on the fact that the lord wore a full face mask of sinister expression. In addition, the robe he wore was gaudy and bulky, making him look much bigger than an average man. He would become the center of attention if he walked in the city looking like that.
The lord closed the book he was holding and put it on the table. He then straightened himself, looking directly at the group.
"Welcome, adventurers. You may sit down there"
Indeed, right in front of the table, there were four regular chairs. Without saying any words, the group sat down on the seats.
"You must be wondering about this mask. I have a personal reason for not wanting to disclose my face for now. That is all I can tell you for that matter. I have known your names, though I still don't know who is who. Nevertheless, allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Ainz Ooal Gown, and you can address me with just Ainz"
Ainz said that with his arms folded on the table. The group felt uneasy, but they were aware it would not be a good idea to inquire further about it.
"Now, which one of you, is Tsuare's sister?"
Viviana raised her hand the moment she heard the question.
"It's me, Ainz-sama"
Ainz then looked at Tsuare.
"Is that true, Tsuare?"
"Y-Yes..!"
"Alright..."
Ainz looked at the group again.
"Now, I believe we all know about the current situation, and I also have heard about your offer from Sebas. Does that offer still stand, or have you changed your mind, Viviana Veyron?"
Viviana gulped, she had a moment of hesitation, but she quickly and firmly returned to her initial decision.
"I stay with my offer. You may have myself as your property, to pay back for the scroll spent on my sister"
Ainz quickly raised his gauntlet-covered hand.
"Hold it right there!"
Everyone in the group were surprised with the sudden movement and the rather loud voice. Ainz sounded really angry. Viviana started to worry if she had made a mistake.
There was a total silence for at least twenty seconds, which felt like forever to the group, especially Viviana.
"Viviana, let me tell you something. You can think for yourself, you can feel emotions, you can eat, drink, and sleep. Those are signs that you are alive, a living human being. And human beings should not become the property of anyone else"
The group couldn't help feeling awed again by Ainz's speech.
"I know that my words were too idealistic compared to the reality out there, but at least that is what I believe, and I don't want to become part of the problem. So Viviana, you must not reduce yourself to a mere property. Cherish your life as a human being"
"I... I understand. But how should I pay back for the scroll?"
Ainz stood up slowly and walked to the window behind the chair. He gazed at the view behind the window, bathed in the morning sunlight. The group sat still, waiting for him to speak again.
"Tsuare"
"Y-Yes..?"
"Back then, when you were still in that place. How did the people there treat you?"
Tsuare staggered hearing the question. Viviana felt upset that Ainz had asked it because it was the same as opening her sister's old wounds, but she couldn't dare to object.
"I... I was treated... like a toy... He... He kept laughing... as he rap-"
Tsuare couldn't help sobbing as she spoke.
"Alright, enough"
There was another silence, although slighly disturbed by Tsuare's sobbing which couldn't stop right away.
"From what I hear, Tsuare, you were treated the same as a property there"
Ainz then looked at Sebas.
"Sebas bought you out from that place with my money, and healed you with my scroll"
Sebas bowed deeply as Ainz said that.
"I deeply apologize for my unauthorized actions"
Ainz didn't say anything in response. He just continued speaking.
"Now, Tsuare is standing right here. Not as someone else's property, but a human being with the name Tsuareninya Veyron. Her status had been raised from property to a human with her own free will, and to see the result of my ideals right in front of me, one scroll is not a big price to pay"
Ainz sat down on his chair once again.
"Now that I have made my point clear, I will tell you how you will pay for the scroll"
Viviana sat still nervously, waiting for Ainz's next words.
"There is a village under my care, and I want you to live there acting as a sentry for a while. I can't specify for how long yet, but you will be informed later"
The group felt dumbfounded hearing the words. They had been expecting an expensive price or an unimaginably tough mission, but what they had just heard was much lighter than their expectation.
"Umm, is that all?"
Viviana couldn't help asking the question. Ainz didn't seem to react hearing the question. He just soon replied with straight tone.
"I will assign you a task or two from time to time, but indeed that is all. By the way..."
There was a silence for a few seconds until Ainz spoke again.
"This matter is initially just between me and Viviana, but what about you three? Do you want to go together with her, or do you wish to separate and stay in this city?"
Hearing the question, Peter folded his arms and lowered his head, thinking deeply. But before long, he raised his head and looked at the other two. All of them nodded, seemingly able to understand immediately. He then began speaking.
"All four of us are part of a team, and we have been through thick and thin risking our lives together. Therefore, we would like to stay together and see things through until the end"
Viviana couldn't help leaking some tears again hearing Peter's words.
"Guys... Thank you... Thank you so much..."
"I acknowledge your decision. Now, Tsuare"
"Y-Yes?"
"I believe you want to live with your family again, no? You may live in that village with your sister"
Tsuare was startled, but she didn't seem delighted. Instead, she soon looked quite worried.
"Umm..."
"Is there something you are concerned with?"
Tsuare seemed very anxious, it took her tens of seconds of silence and anxious body gestures until she finally began speaking.
"Uhh... Will... Sebas-sama... be there... too...?"
"I'm afraid no. Sebas will be working for me at my domain after this"
"Oh..."
Tsuare seemed sad hearing that, but she didn't say anything further.
"Is something the matter, Tsuare? Speak out, I won't be angry or do anything bad to you"
It took another tens of seconds until Tsuare spoke out.
"I... I want to live and work with Sebas-sama!"
The adventurers, and also Sebas, were quite surprised with Tsuare's statement which she had spoken quite loudly. She panted after saying that, and her face showed fear and worry.
"I see. Now speak out the reason behind that statement of yours"
"I... I..."
Tsuare was unable to speak further. Her face was red all over, and she was on the verge of crying. Nobody among the adventurers had any idea what to say about this. But suddenly, Sebas spoke out.
"Pardon my intrusion, but I would like to request a discussion with Ainz-sama"
"Hmm... Alright. It seems Tsuare needs a little time anyway. Everyone other than Sebas, leave the room and wait until I call you back"
The Swords of Darkness group and Tsuare then left the room, leaving only Ainz and Sebas in there. They didn't want to overhear whatever would be discussed in the room, so they returned all the way to the guest room and sat there. Tsuare followed them and stood by.
"Tsuare-san, while it may not be my right to decide, I think you should sit down"
"I'm all right. Don't worry about me"
Tsuare replied to Peter's offer with a smile.
"Tsu-neesan, why did you say that back there?"
Tsuare was startled by Viviana's question.
"I... I..."
"Did you... fall in love with Sebas-dono?"
Tsuare were startled again, and the rest of the adventurers let out a big "WHAAAT?"
"Uhh, while I can see where this has come from, it's a little... I don't know how I should say it"
"You better don't say anything further, Lukrut"
"Dyne is right, Lukrut. This is not our business"
"So... Tsu-neesan. Are you sure, that Sebas-dono is the right man?"
"I was able to eat my fill here, and I was given an honest, proper work. He has risked everything he had, doing all these for me without permission from his lord, all to make me feel warm again when I was already almost dead... I know that my happiness is with Sebas-sama"
Viviana was silent for a short while after hearing Tsuare's words.
"Tsu-neesan. I understand your feelings, but please reconsider. Ainz-sama didn't seem to respond well to your wish. If you're stubborn, you might drag down Sebas-dono along with you. Is that what you want, Tsu-neesan?"
Tsuare fell into silence. What Viviana had just said seemed to strike home.
"By the way..."
Peter suddenly broke the silence.
"Ainz Ooal Gown... Does the name sound familiar to any of you?"
"Now that you mention it, indeed that name sounds familiar"
Dyne folded his arms and closed his eyes, thinking deeply. Then suddenly Lukrut stood up from his seat.
"Ah! I remember! It's the name mentioned in Carne Village!"
"Oh, now I remember too! The powerful magic caster who has saved the village from an attack, and now the village is fortified and guarded by strong goblins. So he is the one..."
Peter said that while nodding. Viviana seemed to become more worried than before. It was natural, because nobody wanted to get on the bad side of a powerful one, and Tsuare had skirted on that.
"Tsu-neesan..."
Tsuare herself showed a mixture of confusion, fear, and sadness. Nobody other than herself knew whether her fear was a fear to Ainz, or to the chance of not getting to live with Sebas.
Before long, Sebas entered the room.
"Lord Ainz is calling for you, Tsuare. As for the others, please wait here"
Nobody dared to object, and so they saw Tsuare and Sebas leaving the guest room. Nobody said anything during the wait, which once again felt like forever.
Finally, Sebas returned to the guest room.
"Lord Ainz is now calling for all of you. Please follow me"
The Swords of Darkness group complied and followed Sebas back to the study room. When they entered the room, Ainz's and Tsuare's position were the same as when they had entered the room for the first time.
"Welcome again, adventurers. You may take your seats again like before"
The group sat down on the chairs in front of Ainz's table again, waiting for anything he would say next.
"First, I'm going to announce that Tsuare will be working alongside Sebas as his direct subordinate"
The group couldn't hide their surprise, but everyone knew that asking would be a rude interruption, so nobody said anything.
"Therefore, she will move to my domain once Sebas is done with his work here"
Viviana raised her hand with hesitation, fearing that her action would be taken as rude. But she couldn't help it.
"M-May I ask one question, Ainz-sama...?"
"Go ahead"
"Will I... ever see my sister again...?"
"Ah, I see. Your fear and worry is natural, since you have no idea where my domain is. Do not worry, I will allow you to visit my domain from time to time, depending on your performance"
The face of the entire group, especially Viviana, showed clearly that they were relieved.
"Speaking of which, I haven't said which village it is, no? Do you know a village named Carne not far from the city named E-Rantel?"
"Yes, before moving here we took an escort job to the village"
"That makes things easier. How soon can you depart?"
Viviana looked at Peter. She still believed he should be the one to make the decision. Peter caught the drift and began speaking after a quick thinking.
"We can depart today if Ainz-sama wishes us to depart as soon as possible"
"How long until you arrive there?"
"I predict one week if we rent a carriage"
"I see. Depart immediately then. Also, Viviana..."
"Yes?"
Ainz took one book, a rather thin one, from somewhere behind the table and presented it to Viviana.
"Try studying this during the trip and report your progress to my subordinate at the village later"
Viviana took the book and opened it. She quickly skimmed through it to get a glimpse on what the book was about. Soon, she looked very surprised.
"This... this book teaches Lightning spell!"
The rest of the group were surprised hearing that. Lightning was a third tier spell, which was still beyond Viviana's capability. Viviana looked at Ainz with her face showing a big confusion, thinking that it might have been a mistake.
"Yes, I want you to try learning that spell during your travel. Of course I don't expect you to be able to cast it by the time you arrive. Just try learning it during your sentry duty and report your progress periodically"
"T-Thank you so much, Ainz-sama!"
Viviana bowed deeply while saying that. To her, an opportunity to learn a third tier spell felt like a chance of a lifetime, and it was natural that she felt very grateful.
"Don't thank me yet until you actually manage to learn it. Now go, and I wish you safe travels"
The Swords of Darkness group then stood up, said their farewell, and left the mansion.
[X][X][X]
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 10:17
"Tsuare, you may leave the room"
"Yes, Ainz-sama!"
After bowing, Tsuare left the study room, leaving only Ainz and Sebas there.
"Now, Sebas"
"Yes, Ainz-sama"
"I conclude that your work here is done. You will vacate this place properly and return to Nazarick"
"As you command, Ainz-sama"
"But before that, we should properly give retribution to those who dared to blackmail Nazarick. Sebas"
Ainz looked at Sebas, whose face was stern and straight.
"You have my permission to wreak havoc on the place where you found Tsuare. Make them feel the wrath of Nazarick"
"As you command, Ainz-sama"
Without wasting time, Sebas left the room and the mansion. He immediately went to the brothel, full of determination to unleash the wrath of Nazarick on all the rotten humans inside.
Just within one hour, all the crews and guards of the brothel had been reduced into bloody mess. Sebas had ruthlessly broken into the brothel and killed all the rotten humans he had found, each with only a single punch. None of them had any chance of escaping because the Nazarick spy units which had been stationed there since the week before had coated all the entrances and exits with illusion from the moment Sebas began his raid, making anyone other than Sebas lost their way inside.
Staffan, the fat man who had blackmailed Sebas, happened to be in the brothel at that time, and he had met his end by Sebas' hand. The women who had been held captive inside the brothel were left alive, and after Sebas was done with his work, he arranged for the spy units to somehow attract official guards to the area, and then he quickly returned to the mansion without letting any guards or citizens see his face.
He also didn't return empty handed.
[X][X][X]
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 11:23
"I have returned, Ainz-sama"
"Welcome back, Sebas. I... who is that?"
Ainz was a little surprised seeing Sebas coming back bringing another unconscious human. This time, it was a man. This man was very thin, his haircut was almost bald, and his face somehow gave off the vibe of a shemale.
"The spy units informed me that this man is one of the division leaders within Eight Fingers. I figured that he could be useful for the benefit of Nazarick"
"Hoo..."
Ainz fell into a deep thought. Indeed, a person of high position in the kingdom's underground society would be very useful. There were ways to utilize the person, such as torturing information out of him or enticing him to work as a mole for Nazarick, or both at once.
I didn't order him to do this, but he has made a great initiative.
"Splendid!"
That voice came out of a sudden from somewhere within the room. However, none of the two were alerted because the voice was from someone they knew, so they just calmly looked at the source.
"Welcome back, Demiurge. I suppose you are done with whatever took your interest"
"Indeed, Ainz-sama. And it was as interesting as I expected"
Demiurge smiled while adjusting his glasses with his finger. He then looked at Sebas and the human he carried with him.
"I didn't expect you to bring forward a very useful potential pawn, Sebas. Splendid indeed"
"Demiurge. Are you implying that I am incapable of thinking for the benefit of Nazarick?"
"It just simply never came to me"
"Oh, now I am compelled to point out the habit of demiurge to look down on others"
"Be reminded that your independent thinking almost compromised your mission"
"I have fully taken responsibility in that regard. Let me also remind you that we wouldn't get this 'potential pawn' otherwise"
Ainz fell into a muse watching the two creations of his friends arguing to each other. A flashback of his golden days in the guild appeared in his mind, specifically the moment back when Ulbert and Touch-Me argued. Something that had happened quite often back then.
"Hmm..."
Sebas and Demiurge realized what they had just done, and both quickly bowed to Ainz.
"Please forgive us for this shameful display before you, Ainz-sama!"
"I beg your pardon for making you witness our foolishness!"
Ainz didn't say anything, but soon he began laughing.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
His laugh somehow sounded really happy, and the two subordinates had no idea what was happening.
"It's fine! It's... ugh..."
Ainz let out a sigh, and the happy mood disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed.
"In any case, you did well, Sebas. I believe Demiurge knows exactly what to do with this man"
"I feel honored, Ainz-sama. I shall take care of it immediately"
"Good. I shall be returning for now"
[Greater Teleportation]
Ainz returned to Nazarick, but he couldn't help thinking that he might had seen a sinister smile on Demiurge's face right before teleporting.
[X][X][X]
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 18:51
"So that happened, huh Brain?"
"Yes, Gazef. That boy, I beat him up good, yet he stood up again and again"
Gazef and Brain were sitting across each other over a dinner table in Gazef's house. Their faces were slightly red from drinking wine, and they had talked for quite a while.
"That boy, Climb. He unfortunately is already at his pinnacle If you ask me. But what he lacks in combat strength, he makes it up in determination"
"I concur, Gazef. I unleashed my best killing intent, and while he flinched, he didn't turn tail and run"
"I can imagine that. Either bravery or stupidity, I can never know for sure"
"When I asked how he could withstand it, his answer was like this..."
Brain then told Gazef about Climb's answers, and his own confusion on why a mere thought of a liege could become such a strong drive.
"I see"
Gazef smiled as he gave the short reply, which made Brain even more confused.
"So you still don't know about that matter, Brain. Look, people can unleash strength beyond what they are normally capable of for the sake of what they cherish. When they fight to protect something important to them, that's when their true strength shows"
"Something important...?"
Gazef's words made Brain fell into a deep thought. A feeling of regret began creeping up his mind. He had none of those because he had discarded everything he considered useless.
"I have lived my life incorrectly it seems..."
"Hey, better late than never, isn't it?"
Gazef tried cheering Brain up. Brain himself just smiled, realizing how he had been a fool all this time.
[X][X][X]
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 4th Day, 20:49
The home base of Hilma Cygnaeus was still quite busy despite the time being quite far beyond sunset, which was the normal bedtime for most commoners. Of course, the staffs working there were not really commoners. They were part of a huge underground organization, which was expected to be more active at night.
The busy activities were mainly caused by two significant events happening recently. One, the entire Six Arms had gone missing, dragging down the entire Security Division into chaos. Two, just the day before today, the Slave Trafficking Division had lost its brothel, which also served as one important base for the said division. The division leader, Cocco Doll, also went missing. Most likely captured by whoever had raided the brothel. With two divisions compromised, Hilma as the head of Drug Trafficking Division had stepped in to partially cover their work, effectively widening her influence across the organization and putting more works for her staffs.
None of that were important to the man sitting on the roof of the mansion, though.
This man, Elder, had been sticking around this mansion without care of what was happening. His focus was on the fluctuation of energy readings he felt within the nearby city. There were quite an amount of small fries he could beat easily, but there were also a few he would have quite a hard time with, and some others which would handily defeat him in his current state. He also had felt the presence of the one ultimate energy bearer, but in both occurrences it didn't last long. Probably teleported away.
Right now, he sat cross-legged with his arms folded, unable to decide on the action he should take next. He would love to fight the ones of roughly equal strength to him, but he would risk attracting the attention of the strong ones which would defeat him and cause a setback.
However, before he could think any further, something strange happened.
"What the...?"
Right below him, somewhere in the mansion, Elder suddenly sensed multiple presences of strong beings. To be precise, only two. One was about equal to him in strength, but the other would defeat him easily. A few seconds later he could sense that the small fries inside the mansion were being killed one by one by the two beings. Elder wanted to lay low, but he assumed that those two must have felt his presence already.
"Hmph!"
Elder opened a red portal and teleported to Hilma's bedroom. In there he saw Hilma still fast asleep.
"Wake up, woman!"
"Huh...? What?"
Hilma woke up and quickly went into alert state. Her instinct screamed that whatever reason for Elder to suddenly came to her room and wake her up this late was very important.
"We got intruders, and they are strong. Stronger than me"
Hilma's eyes went wide. Elder had killed Six Arms and grown stronger, yet now there were even stronger intruders. This was definitely bad news.
"Why are you telling me?"
"I just feel that I should honor your deed of giving me strong opponents back there"
Elder then summoned a blood red energy vortex right at Hilma's position, enveloping her.
"Wha... what's this!?"
"Now we are even"
Elder fisted his right hand, and Hilma disappeared without a trace. Elder had teleported her to somewhere far away from this place. He didn't know where she would end up, but he didn't care. With his debt repaid by saving her from the intruders, he considered his ties with her completely cut. She could end up in the wilderness and getting eaten by wild monsters, but she had nothing to do with him anymore.
"Now..."
Elder looked at the room's door.
"Overwhelming disadvantage, huh? I'm getting bored laying low. This will be interesting"
Elder let out a little laugh, and then he nonchalantly walked to the door, fully intending to face the intruders head on.
[X][X][X]
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 4th Day, 8:05
The Ignite Maximus team had just got back to the Adventurer's Guild after doing a Mithril Rank job the day before. It had been decided that Alice would be promoted to Orichalcum like Ryu and Lily after they complete a number of Platinum and Mithril Rank jobs together, so over the last week they had been doing that.
"Alright, with this report your job is complete. Thank you for the hard work"
The receptionist said it while handing the reward money to Ryu, who just took it and put it into his coat's inner pocket without saying anything.
As the team left the receptionist desk, Ryu felt a little relieved because there had been no Darkers in sight over the last week, so things in the city still continued as normal. However, he also felt worried that ARKS still had not arrived yet.
Seriously, what is taking them so long?
Before Ryu could think further, two persons wearing same outfit entered the guild and went straight to the receptionist. This piqued Ryu's interest, so he stood and watched as the people talked to the receptionist. Soon after, both of them looked at him and one approached him.
"Pardon me, you are Ryu Seika and Lily Vangraf of Ignite Maximus team, correct?"
"Yes, though we recently recruited a third member. This is Alice Vegelshaft"
Ryu could understand that the news of a third member would still need some time to spread, but he believed it was appropriate to correct the man to keep him updated.
"I see. Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are aides of Marquis Raeven, and we would like to make a job request by name"
The aide then explained about a recent disturbance over the capital, and the aforementioned noble wanted to hire adventurers to increase the security of his residence.
"The reward is 250 platinum coins for the team"
"Wait what? Why would he pay that much for hiring pretty much security guards?"
"There are more things which we would explain on the way should you accept, which we hope you will"
"Let me ask something first. Are we the only team you are going to hire?"
"We are also tasked to request Darkness team"
Right after the aide said that, two familiar figures entered the guild. Ryu noticed them and looked back to the aide in front of him.
"Speak of the devil. Go ahead and talk to them while I consider your offer"
"Certainly, sir"
The aide, followed by the other aide, approached Momon and Nabe, and then they began talking. In the meantime, Ryu spoke to Alice and Lily.
"What do you think? If you ask me, it kinda sounds fishy"
"Yep, really fishy, Ryu-san"
"I concur. Even him, one of the Six Great Nobles, would never hire adventurers all the way from here just to act as securities. And high rank ones to boot. It is as if he knows a great conflict will happen soon"
"Could it be... civil war?"
"Can't rule out the possibility, knowing the power struggle within the kingdom. But we adventurers have the right to back out from a job without penalty if the job turns out to involve political motives"
"I see. Well, I think I will accept and see what happens. I want to see a different city once in a while anyway. Do you agree?"
"Alright, Ryu-san!"
"If you say so, alright"
So, both Ignite Maximus and Darkness accepted the job from Marquis Raeven, and as part of the agreement they all had to depart immediately. The two aides casted multiple Floating Board spells for the teams to sit on while they would use Fly to go straight to Re-Estize capital.
While sitting still on the soaring magical board, Ryu felt a little excited. Seeing another large city of this planet would be a new experience for him, and he hoped the job wouldn't turn out into something bad.
[X][X][X]
One thing I think I should mention is that Tsuare didn't get kidnapped in this story because Six Arms had been annihilated by Elder. After Sebas and Solution got their business done, they returned to the mansion and found Tsuare still safe and sound, waiting for them. The three of them went back to Nazarick afterwards.
Nevertheless, with this chapter the entire Volume 5 is now covered and now it's time to proceed to the most interesting part of Volume 6: The Battle of Re-Estize Capital.
See you again later.
