Chapter 538 – Direct
The Western Continent and the Central Continent, separated by the vast, undeveloped region called the Desert of Silence, were quite far apart in terms of distance.
Of course, if one used the Ark's airship to traverse space, the crossing would be simple, but even so, it remained an unchanging fact that Listener's group were guests who had come from afar.
Before any important discussion, hospitality toward guests was basic courtesy.
"Waa…."
A variety of dishes filled the wide dining table to the brim, the menu overall minimizing repetition and striving for diversity.
Moreover, luxurious ingredients and skilled chefs stood constantly on standby so the same quality of food could be served at any time.
On the surface, Verden's status was that of an honorary count of the Kingdom, the de facto ruler who divided the Ownerless Land, and a mighty Magus.
Even now, while concealing his true identity, he was a figure of unquestionable power.
"Brother Asher, seriously, we can eat all of this as much as we want?"
"If it's not enough, say so."
"With this much food, I doubt that'll happen. Anyway, I'll dig in!"
Receiving the host's permission, Locke began eating voraciously, as if inhaling the meal.
Having been busy tracking Gluttony for a while, such a feast was the first proper meal since the day they had visited Ark for the Ark's exchange tournament earlier this year.
"Oh, each dish is impressively fresh, hard to believe this is the Ownerless Land."
Listener handled the utensils with grace, accepting Verden's hospitality.
It was a lively table in many ways… yet, regrettably, there was one person among them who could not fully enjoy the meal.
Clatter… clatter….
Theon sliced his steak halfheartedly, chewing it bit by bit. His gaze stayed fixed downward, looking quite uncomfortable.
Verden asked.
"Does it not suit your taste?"
"Ah? No, it's just…."
An instant of passing choices.
Should he say it was tasteless and leave the table altogether, or should he just shut his mouth and stuff the delicious food down his throat?
Theon's decision came quickly.
"Mm, I was merely eating slowly, so no need to worry."
A cautious attitude, lest he risk offending Verden.
It was only natural.
As a former assassin of Gluttony, sitting at the same table with a target he once tried to kill was uncomfortable enough.
All the more when that very target held the power to easily kill Theon himself.
Locke, wiping his mouth with a napkin, shook his head.
"See, that's why you shouldn't have tried to assassinate Brother back in the Duchy of Riviant."
"Shut it."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Theon's hand, gripping the knife, trembled before he sighed and focused back on eating. Fighting Locke would be pointless anyway…
'That damned Doctor, bastard.'
If not for Gluttony's Doctor giving orders, there would never have been an assassination attempt in the Principality's city of Martes.
Though the Doctor had been dead for over two years now, Theon could only direct his resentment at him. Such was the sorrow of the weak.
At any rate.
Whether Theon cursed the Doctor in his mind or not, time flowed peacefully, and small talk continued across the table.
"Ah, Brother, I have a few questions I'd like to ask, may I?"
"If they're simple."
"Then───"
Locke, seemingly brimming with curiosity, fired off a barrage of questions. The general theme was Verden's past actions.
From the encounter with the Bone-Relic Dragon after the Ark's exchange tournament, to the territorial struggles in the Ownerless Land, Locke's curiosity gleamed brightly.
Verden leaned back against his chair.
'All questions about battles, as expected. Well, Locke does value strength.'
By nature, Locke never showed respect to anyone weaker than himself. Even when he first met Verden, it was the same.
'So, he hasn't heard anything about me from the Watcher of the North?'
Listener seemed aware, but Locke and Theon had not the slightest suspicion that Verden had crossed the wall of race.
Restricted information.
It seemed that even the Ark treated transcendent beings as top-secret matters.
Verden gave answers based only on the information already public.
Although he omitted much for the sake of time, it was enough to satisfy Locke's curiosity, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"Wow, no wonder most of the other candidates, myself included, fainted from
"Well, that's not something I can do just because I wish it."
When Verden glanced sideways, Listener quietly raised the corner of his lips.
Thus, the idle chatter wrapped up as everyone finished their meal. For dessert, warm tea and cake were placed before them.
"Now that our hunger is sated, let us get to the main point."
As Verden naturally took control of the conversation, the atmosphere grew heavier. Behind the transparent wall, the Ark's members were reflected.
Theon stiffened, recalling the memory of being beaten down by Verden.
"Gluttony heading toward the Western Continent, stealing corpses between Bohemirn's magic tower and Black Hour's battlefield, that much I heard last time. How has the investigation progressed since then?"
"Mm, well, to be honest, not to any meaningful degree. The transplant hosts Gluttony made by stitching together Magi's bodily tissues became significantly stronger, and we narrowed down a few candidate regions for their base. But the areas are too vast to say we've pinpointed anything."
When it came to Gluttony, the Ark would not simply sit back but act directly.
Yet if the investigation was struggling, there had to be a compelling reason.
Locke nodded.
"Exactly. Even if they moved in secret, avoiding the world's eyes, for the Ark to gather only this much information over such a long time is strange. It wasn't just Theon and me on the case, either. So, about two or three months ago, the Ark compiled all the information gathered by the members deployed to this operation… and we reached one conclusion. Circumstantial evidence, no physical proof, but still."
"And that is?"
"It seems Gluttony has a helper."
***
Someone was aiding Gluttony… so Locke claimed, and Listener, savoring his tea, supplemented the explanation.
"As Lord Asher knows, the Magic War that broke out due to the mana-core overdrive incident is being fought between Bohemirn's magic tower, spearheading the Western Continent's magic tower alliance, and Black Hour at its core. Each is led by a Transcendent, undeniably mighty factions. Not only in sheer power, but also with specialization across diverse fields of magic. They are highly capable. Gluttony's covert corpse thefts should have been noticed long ago."
Listener noiselessly set down his teacup.
"In fact, both the Western Continent's magic tower alliance and Black Hour must have realized a third party was interfering in the war. At the time, though, the magic war was so intense they could not spare attention for the fate of the corpses. Yet for them to remain silent even now, over two years since the war began, is strange."
"Strange that their reaction is lacking, that's your reasoning? Nothing more?"
"Not at all. The Ark's judgment was primarily based on analyzing Gluttony's altered behavior."
The basis was threefold.
First, unlike before, Gluttony's range of activity had broadened and deepened.
Second, the rate of increase in the number of transplant hosts possessing high-ranking Magi's bodies.
Third, the inability to locate their hideout.
Verden immediately grasped the meaning of each point Listener raised, crossing his arms.
"In other words, Gluttony expanding his activities closer to the war means there is room to interpret he knows internal details well… the rapid increase in transplant hosts indicates that human experimentation is accelerating."
"Yes, precisely. And the failure to find the hideout stems from the fact that Gluttony's once well-understood patterns no longer apply. Simply put, his habits have changed."
Gluttony had endured for centuries, opposing the Ark, persisting like stubborn weeds.
For such an old organization to suddenly change meant there must have been some catalyst───an unknown helper the Ark had not yet identified.
'If that is the case….'
Verden lowered his gaze.
"The magic tower alliance, or Black Hour. The Ark must believe that one of those two forces has joined hands with Gluttony."
"That is correct."
"If you had to place more weight on one side, which would it be?"
"Of course, Black Hour."
Theon answered.
"Black Hour is an officially recognized evil, called the group of death Magi. Its leader was branded the worst criminal in the current magic world for causing Bohemirn's mana-core to go into overdrive. Naturally, they must have also committed taboo human experiments, so it would not be strange if they matched with Gluttony."
"..."
"And you've already heard about how, recently, certain Magi suddenly used magic beyond their rank due to strange dreams, causing upheaval in the magic world in real time, yes? That the culprit was Black Hour's Dark Moon, Dahit Wethroel, as well. At this point, isn't the answer obvious?"
Theon listed the rumors he had heard about Black Hour, none of which, of course, were favorable.
Locke agreed with Theon's opinion.
"Indeed, Black Hour is suspicious. Just a few weeks ago, they suddenly withdrew entirely from the frontlines against the tower alliance."
"Thanks to that, no corpses are being produced, making it hard to track Gluttony. We nearly died from being discovered while overreaching. Circumstances point to Black Hour, those bastards, as the ones helping Gluttony."
Once again, Theon spat venom. Verden simply listened in silence.
"However, without solid evidence, the Ark cannot interfere with the towers or Black Hour to conduct a search. Doing so would expose the Ark's existence to the world. It would only increase chaos across the entire continent."
"So, for now, you're merely observing?"
"That is correct, Lord Asher. Shaking the continent just to capture Gluttony would go against the Ark's principle of acting for humanity's sake."
It was different from when the Ark had dispatched its captain to the Kingdom of Estiria to eliminate Gluttony after large-scale human experiments.
This time, the opponents were transcendental powers; the Ark could not end things quietly.
"If there were a way."
"Pardon?"
"If Gluttony and his helper could be eliminated completely, without revealing the Ark's existence to the world, what would you do?"
All eyes turned to him.
Verden met the three pairs of questioning gazes, eyes asking whether he had some ingenious method, and spoke softly.
"I will take care of it myself."
***
The sudden declaration spread confusion.
"Y-you, Brother?"
"I, too, belong to the Ark, like you, so besides facing trials, do I not also have the duty to eradicate Gluttony?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"I will take full responsibility."
At Verden's firm declaration, Locke could ask no further. Honestly, if he stepped in, there could be nothing better.
After all, among the soaring candidates of the Ark, was he not the strongest?
'But we can't simply dump everything onto Brother Asher.'
He had to fulfill his duty, as the disciple of one of the Ark's elders.
"Then what should we do? Not completely step away, I mean."
"I need time to prepare as well. In the meantime, don't overextend yourselves, just watch Gluttony's movements from a distance. Within four or five months at the latest, I will erase Gluttony from the battlefield entirely."
"Understood! You heard that, Theon?"
"Uh? Mm… I heard. But shouldn't you get permission from the Ark first?"
Then Listener quietly raised his hand.
"That is not necessary. Lord Asher here has more than enough qualification to make a decision on his own. I will report to the Ark later."
Thus was decided who would take responsibility for Gluttony rampaging on the Western Continent.
The conversation went on a little longer.
Having received even the most trivial details about Gluttony from the three of them, Verden rose from his seat.
"Good work explaining. I've arranged a place for you to rest, so when you step outside you will be guided there. Rest well."
"Can we go sightseeing in the city? It's our first time in the Ownerless Land."
"Do as you wish. I left some cash in your rooms, take it with you."
"Wow, even allowance? Thanks, Brother! I'll owe you one!"
Locke and Theon immediately stepped out into the corridor. A sigh brushed Verden's ear—the sound of Theon's relief at finally being freed from him.
When the two closed the door and disappeared, the remaining two stayed behind.
Listener spoke.
"From the Duchy of Riviant to the Ownerless Land, though short, Lord Asher, you have changed greatly. Which is why I feel sorry. We promised that if you overcame the ancient trial of the Tomb of the Demon King, we would grant you another trial to challenge… yet there is none suited for a Transcendent."
The Ark had promised to grant Verden a trial, but it had yet to happen, because his realm had risen too rapidly.
Of course, Verden cared little.
Thanks to that, he had been able to find the Demon King's Golem Laboratory and meet the Administrator and Alpha.
"Think nothing of it."
"Thank you for your grace. Still, even if it takes time, the promise will be kept. For that is only right."
Verden tilted his head slightly.
"Those words… should I take them to mean you've found a new trial?"
"More accurately, it is under investigation. The Explorer of the Unknown has gone personally to confirm, in the 'Desert of Silence'."
The Desert of Silence was a vast, undeveloped region where flight was impossible by any means, and even spatial coordinates were unstable.
Like the Demon Realm, it was a place where no one knew what dangers lurked.
"Legrit is there…? What in the world lies within?"
"Hahaha, seems you've grown interested. Unfortunately, beyond this, it is secret. I can only assure you that it will be the trial most suited to your current realm."
Listener held his tongue, saying this was the Ark's policy. Knowing he would not give even a hint, Verden did not press further.
Then, Listener asked.
"On another note, Lord Asher, may I ask you one question, if you permit?"
"I am listening."
"The rank-breaking incidents caused by the Dark Moon, Dahit Wethroel… are you involved, by chance?"
A massive upheaval in the magical world.
Listener's question was clearly not personal curiosity but rather the will of the Ark's upper echelons.
Verden declared.
"It did not originate from me."
"I see───"
"But it is connected. Deeply."
He did not explain in detail, but neither did he hide the truth. The reason was simple: the Ark, with its multiple Transcendents, was an ally.
"I understand. And since Lord Asher has not yet stepped forth fully into the world, I suppose you have personal plans. You will need time until then."
Listener smiled.
"Understood. I will convey it to the higher-ups that way… ah, I almost forgot to mention something."
Turning back from the door, he bowed deeply.
"Congratulations on your Transcendence."
As a member of the Ark, Listener sincerely welcomed the birth of a new Transcendent, believing without doubt that he would act for humanity.
Thus ended Beta's resurrection and the meeting with the Ark.
When Verden stepped outside, Adrian descended from the castle's rooftop to meet him.
"Those three are too weak to be called Ark's members, at least compared to the King of the North."
"Well, compared to the captain, yes. So, what are your impressions?"
"Listener and Locke, they know how to show respect to my lord, not too bad. But that Theon—he once attempted to assassinate my lord. If I meet him again, we will have a little talk."
And thus, a shadow fell over Theon.