Shadows Stir in the Adventurer's Union
"Griffon? And imperial mercenaries on top of that?"
"Yes, and they used madness grass—the kind the elves employ."
"How was it transported?"
"We confirmed a gate in a cliffside cave enchanted with illusion magic, but tracing the recorded coordinates inside led to imperial territory. That said, during the time it would have taken to transport and install materials on that scale, adventurers were out on investigation requests and found no traces. There was also a sudden downpour around the forest gorge—likely to wash away any evidence."
"Tricky business, then."
If a massive cave had suddenly vanished, adventurers would have noticed. In a gorge with walking paths where griffons could pass, someone would have sensed something off about it being abruptly filled in. And pulling off gate installation without detection? That crossed a serious line.
Standing with hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window, the young-looking man sighed as he listened to his secretary's report.
"So there might be a dwarf engineer capable of crafting gates."
"The Empire's doing?"
"Imperial mercenaries will hire out to anyone with coin. They have no loyalty to any nation to begin with. The elves' madness grass is rare now, but back during the wars with them... or scavenged from the front lines, perhaps. But acquiring enough in bulk to feed a griffon? That changes the equation entirely. It would mean at least an elf insider."
"In other words: an elf who can liaise with other elves, a dwarf who can craft gates, a demon capable of portals. Someone with a [Skill] to disguise or resurrect the dead from ten years ago. And including the [Hands Collector]... it points to a rather large organization."
They were also skilled at hiding their tracks without leaving a tail. There was likely at least one more [Log]-class operative, and they might have plants in the Adventurer's Union or guilds, siphoning info continuously.
"Investigation into union members? Any doppelganger involvement or disguises?"
"None so far. We're discussing countermeasures with the mages."
"Issues related to Evil Gods?"
"Yes, all six unsealed Evil Gods have been subjugated."
"A hero-slaying era after four centuries."
The Adventurer's Union wouldn't just sit idle. Its history spanning over a century wasn't built on empty reputation. Adventurers were already on guard against these mysterious foes—if they made even a single slip, ripping out the tail and tracking them down would be straightforward.
Since no prophecies or divine revelations from the "gods" had come—meaning it hadn't yet disrupted causality or balance—this was a problem for mortals on the ground to handle themselves.
"Actually, this works in our favor. Though the damage is severe... sealed Evil Gods are headaches that corrupt the land and spawn monsters just by existing."
The Adventurer's Union, guilds, and other kingdoms had banded together to shelter refugees, providing aid and welfare. Including retired adventurers, they were rebuilding cities amid the flow. Kings might even emerge from their ranks. Trust Union allowed anyone to claim the throne, strict qualifications be damned. Who would stop them if the gods permitted it?
The union's territory was vast; more sealed Evil Gods would surely emerge elsewhere.
"Maintaining seals was our stance, but if they're breaking free, purging them benefits the future."
"Then we'll bolster personnel at sealed Evil God sites."
"Preventing breaks is key too. The report on repelling the Succubus Lord—our biggest headache—was quite the surprise... Speaking of, what about that enigmatic hero?"
"He took down the griffon."
The human "Radamu Dice," who had abruptly appeared in Trust Union. Fallen from the sky or risen from the earth—who knew? The how didn't matter, but a human showing up without ID was a blatant anomaly. The guilds and Adventurer's Union had been quietly watching him from the start.
Humanoids were recorded only as "blessed by the gods," so rare that most adventurers just shrugged it off in ignorance.
"A human wielding lightning blessings? You'd have to scour the world to find their like."
He was a hero. Even the union master couldn't say which god summoned him to this world... but surely divine will backed it. Thus, the gods watched without further interference.
Would the hero resolve all issues once more? If so, why hide his identity and grow slowly as an adventurer?
To fell the Succubus Lord single-handedly demanded a realm surpassing even Master.
"Probably under various restrictions. We'll just watch until he reveals himself. If word spreads he's a hero, everything will swarm to devour him."
He needed to be the one grasping and shaking the typhoon, not swept away by it. The hero was still weak.
His secretary speculated a Druid-line class. Even without hero status, elves would flip and hunt him down.
Either way, a being to upend the era. The union master smiled.
"A hero, huh..."
Born after all heroes had departed the world, even he hadn't dreamed of witnessing a hero's return.
Heroes were notoriously eccentric; this one surely was too. Parading a 27-year-old dwarf as his girlfriend—did he share Captain Eagle's womanizing streak? Whether he naturally stumbled into events or followed divine guidance to fight evil despite weakness, he evoked Hero Trust.
And he'd inherited the sword of legendary swordsman Daegomgei.
"I wouldn't mind a chat."
"I understand—after all, he is a hero."
The shadowy organization had surely sniffed him out. They'd shoved him into peril multiple times... but their lukewarm response suggested little interest in the "hero."
If they saw him as a threat, assassins would have finished him. Watching him grew him, yet he teetered on the edge, snatching victories. His reports read like chained miracles—gladiator material, almost. Did he have an ability to forcibly match his level to foes'?
"Helena would flip."
Registered as a party member? She'd lose it over a real, returned hero—might even try licking him. Good call keeping it secret.
The Adventurer's Union had settled on calmly observing the hero's path. Slightly boosted quest pay, premium insurance perks, upgraded base facilities—minor favors, nothing more.
"Summon the great kings and guild masters."
"All four?"
The union master ordered the four great kings of Trust's mightiest kingdom with the longest history, plus the four guild masters of Trust Union.
Passivity would tarnish the heroes' legacy. If crushing them, they'd go all out.
"Assume every scenario. They're uninterested in the 'hero' yet unseal Evil Gods, hunkered down at least a decade."
Either way, immense evil—viler than imagined. Don't forget those disguised as adventurers, he warned. The secretary bowed, "Understood," set down the report, and withdrew.
"How about occasional inspections, Gorbain Trust?"
Her sly smile drew a grin from the elf youth. "Not a bad idea."
But his face popping up would stress members and adventurers alike. Feigning concern, he prompted her careful reply.
"Award him for the griffon—E-rank felling two A-ranks. Frame it as stamping potential for a fine adventurer ahead."
"Truly? You've got a silver tongue sometimes."
"You're too stiff, Gorbain."
She suggested mint cola—he liked mints?—rating his tastes odd as she left.
Alone, the union master chuckled, "Mint's a bit much," then peered at the bustling crowds below.
He hadn't thought endless peace eternal, but the hero's arrival stirred the world. Massive events loomed.
Trust Union must be the breakwater shielding people from the waves. As his grandfather Hero Trust said:
"Even a hero can't save the world alone... was it?"
Hoping the budding hero wouldn't buckle under great legacies or get crushed before growing, the elf union master rubbed his chin.
"...It's been ages since Helena Knox... She could think of age sometimes."
Sisterly as she was, her personality hadn't matured. Probably kneeling the hero now, nagging away.
Yes, her opener would be: "Don't pull reckless stunts if you're no hero... or something."
Seeing her face upon learning he'd nagged a hero? Fresh thrill in old age.