Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Celestial (4)
"Ah, um..."
The strange figure seemed far more flustered than during the day.
"How did... You know?"
"You call that talking?"
"It's a familiar that I focused all my capabilities on. Even a boss shouldn't be able to easily figure it out. I was quite confident this time."
At the excessively self-paced attitude, the eyes of everyone in the group, including Rudian, twitched.
"Before that, shouldn't an apology for the eavesdropping come first?"
"Ah, an apology, you say?"
"A very sincere apology. Otherwise, I consider any further conversation meaningless."
Even setting aside the daytime incident, this matter had clearly crossed the line.
Rudian couldn't easily take action because ordinary people from the mercenary guild nearby might get involved, but if that hadn't been the case, Rudian would have immediately attacked with full force.
The strange figure nodded as if understanding.
"An apology... If that's what you want..."
Those who hold the rank of Great Magician find it difficult to bow their heads due to their pride.
Rudian expected the figure to either deny their rudeness or try to brazenly brush it off somehow...
THUD!
"...Huh?"
Rudian and the group were startled when the strange figure suddenly prostrated on the floor.
Even so, to think the figure would so openly slam their head down like this?
Moreover, the figure's actions didn't end there.
Suddenly, from the prostrated position, the strange figure's legs began rising toward the sky.
"What kind of bizarre..."
In other words, the strange figure had slammed their head down in a bowing position and then raised their lower body toward the ceiling, assuming a 'headstand position.'
Gray, who couldn't manage his expression properly, asked the strange figure.
"What... Are you doing right now?"
"Didn't you say you wanted an apology?"
"That's an apology?"
"This is called a 'grand bow'... A time-honored method of apology passed down from ancient times..."
"..."
"Indeed, it's quite difficult to maintain for long. I'll end the bow here."
SWOOSH!
The strange figure's legs returned to their original position.
The group fell silent, not knowing what to say about this situation.
They had requested an apology and received one, but such an action beyond common sense had emerged that they couldn't think of how to proceed next.
At that moment, Rudian, who was most familiar with such bows, was the first to regain his composure and spoke.
"Ahem, that was an impressive apology, but that alone won't do. We were having an important meeting to determine our path forward, and eavesdropping on that is serious enough to reconsider our alliance with you."
"Hmm, I acknowledge that. Then, would you forgive my offense if I give you this?"
The strange figure respectfully handed Rudian an intricately crafted jeweled bracelet from their bosom.
It was immediately apparent that it wasn't just a simple bracelet.
'An artifact...! And a top-grade one at that!'
It was an incredible treasure that could melt away the anger from just moments before.
"It's a magic amplifier. A masterpiece by Essenbach, one of our executives, capable of amplifying the power of magic below 8th class by up to 10%."
Though it was said to be 10%, in a fight between magicians of the same level, it was enough to determine victory or defeat.
Moreover, the fact that it affected not just lower ranks but up to the ultra-high rank of 8th class meant this item was at least Epic grade.
'Perfect for Gray.'
Rudian decided to generously overlook the figure's rudeness.
Anyway, the figure's appearance had slightly disrupted the atmosphere, but that didn't change the group's perspective.
"For what reason were you spying on us?"
Luciella interrogated the strange figure on behalf of the group.
"Ah, that's... Somewhat unfair..."
"Unfair...?"
Just as the surrounding gazes were about to turn menacing again, the strange figure waved their hands and hurriedly continued.
"I came to give you the boss's response regarding this morning's matter, but since you were in a meeting, I was going to wait."
"Waiting and spying are completely different things."
"Well... Rudian's words were so interesting that I couldn't help myself, hehe!"
In conclusion, wasn't it still spying?
Luciella felt a headache coming on and pressed her forehead.
Naturally, harsh words spilled out.
"Just say what you have to say and get lost."
While the opponent was indeed a formidable force that couldn't be ignored, their conduct was so frivolous that she couldn't bring herself to treat them accordingly.
However, even at her frosty words, the strange figure didn't shrink back but instead made an absurd proposal.
"Could I also join your discussion?"
"What did you say?"
"I didn't overhear everything, but I can sufficiently guess what the next topic will be. I'd like to participate in that topic too."
"What topic?"
"The end of the world, isn't it?"
GASP!
At the unexpected topic, Luciella's expression hardened.
And she subtly turned her head to look at the person in question.
From the fact that there was no change in Rudian's expression, she knew that the strange figure's words were true.
'If that's true... It's not for me to decide.'
Realizing this, she took a step back.
"..."
After pondering for a while, Rudian finally made his decision.
"Come in."
"Ooh!"
Though one wall had collapsed, causing soundproofing issues, that wasn't particularly important.
The collapsed wall was immediately restored with a few gestures from the strange figure.
"If you want to join the conversation, you spill what you know first. There can't only be intersections between what I say and what you say."
"Certainly so."
"If that's impossible, then leave."
"As if. However, once my story is finished, I'd appreciate it if you could provide supplementary explanations."
"I'll consider it. Before that, how about we start by revealing your face and name?"
"Well, sure."
He nodded.
Following Rudian's demand, he removed his robe, revealing the appearance of a young man so youthful that one wouldn't think of him as a Great Magician.
"...!"
"He was a much bigger shot than expected."
While the others were observing the figure's appearance, Rudian was different.
Rudian's gaze fell on the figure's cheek.
The number 9 carved on that cheek.
That meant only one thing.
"My name is Eugene Celestial the Nine. I'm a magician of Celestial."
"9th class, was it?"
"As expected, you know well about us."
Eugene cast a meaningful look at Rudian.
However, Rudian had no obligation to respond to that look, and Eugene, as if expecting this, quickly withdrew his gaze.
Soon, a topic similar to what Rudian had intended to discuss began flowing from Eugene's lips.
Though he rambled on at length, Eugene's words could be summarized in a few sentences:
-Humanity will perish in about several decades.
-Due to the aftermath of gods freed from all constraints fighting each other.
-Many are working beneath the surface to prevent that destruction.
-However, there are bad guys taking advantage of this opportunity, so they are making efforts.
Well, everyone would know that the last statement was merely inserted.
The words that flowed from Eugene's mouth lacked detail compared to what Rudian had intended to explain.
However, coming from a third party's mouth, it had that much more credibility.
"In the case of the Apophis Cult, they're relatively better. But in this world, there are organizations with dozens of times more power than them. They're quietly hiding for now, but no one knows what will happen when they emerge above the surface."
"What you want is... The position of gods like in the old days?"
At Luciella's question that immediately pierced to the core, Eugene flinched momentarily but immediately nodded.
"That's correct, but revenge for our predecessors has been added to that. We haven't forgotten our predecessors' resentment."
"Hmm..."
It still seemed unrealistic, but if the person saying this was a legendary 9th class Great Magician, the story was different.
"Well, I listened to the explanation well. You said your boss had something to tell me, what is it?"
"Um... Couldn't you tell me after hearing Rudian's supplementary explanation?"
"No. No, you can't. Wasn't the alliance discussion the top priority matter?"
Eugene felt a strange uneasiness from Rudian's words, but since it wasn't exactly wrong, he sighed and spoke.
"Phew, it's nothing special. However, since the Apophis Cult noticed our attack, he said we'd need to move up the time to strike their headquarters."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
Certainly, the Apophis Cult's location was about two days' distance by carriage, but it was definitely reachable if they hurried a bit.
Rudian nodded and grabbed Eugene's shoulder.
"Good. Then let's meet tomorrow."
"Then now, Rudian's explanation...?"
"My explanation isn't much different from yours. Rather, it was so detailed that no supplementary explanation is needed."
At Rudian's words, Eugene's complexion turned pale.
"W-wait! Are you planning to just extract the essence and discard me?"
"You're not a comrade, are you? This place right now is where I reconfirm my comrades' mindset. It's not a situation for outsiders to interfere."
"Un-unfair!"
"What's unfair is your behavior of voyeuristically watching us at all times."
BANG!
After forcibly driving Eugene out the door, Rudian ordered Adi to set up defenses.
'Adi.'
—I understand. I'll activate the dimensional separation spell.
'He won't peep again, will he?'
—At least for one hour, we're safe.
That was enough.
Perhaps because Rudian's attitude toward Eugene was so ironclad, Gray scratched the back of his head and spoke to Rudian.
"Bro, even so, wasn't that too cold?"
"It's fine, it's fine. That guy deserves it."
"If that person is really 9th class like you said, bro, even a little grudge would be no joke..."
"At most, he's just a cog in the organization. A somewhat big cog, perhaps."
"..."
For some reason, an atmosphere of sympathizing with Eugene, who had been driven away from the group, was forming.
Rudian ignored such atmosphere and continued speaking.
"You all heard what that guy said just now, but the ones we'll have to face from now on are truly dangerous. If even one of those who act unpredictably appears, at our current level... Everyone except me will be annihilated."
The ones they would face from now on were only those with the level to topple nations as individual organizations.
They had to break the framework of fixed concepts and transcend the limits of their growth values.
Of course, Rudian intended to drive his companions to the cliff of growth to make this happen.
Die or grow.
To the cliff of this binary choice.
"Choose."
Having said everything he needed to say, Rudian took a deep breath and waited for his companions' reaction.
Surprisingly, the reaction came quickly.
"Those words are superfluous."
Luciella's eyes shone as she opened her mouth.
"I already resolved myself when I left the capital. That resolve may have seemed like the recklessness of a naive youngster to you, but no matter how trivial any decision might be, it's a decision made by 'myself.' I'll handle the consequences myself."
"..."
"At least if the talent you saw in me is real, I should be able to reach a level similar to Maria's, even if it takes time, right?"
A level similar to Maria...
This young lady certainly had big dreams.
"I know her talent is beyond specifications, but I'd need to be at least that level to stand shoulder to shoulder with you."
Elvin and Gray also continued speaking.
"Backing out after hearing such words isn't what a man would do. You sometimes have a tendency to proceed with conversations after already deciding on the answer."
"If I stake my life... I can beat that woman, right? I can't stand the trembling version of myself from that time."
Resolve.
And determination.
Though each had different motivations, even after saying all this, their expressions were carved with firm resolve.
"It's decided then."
Rudian laughed helplessly and raised both arms in a gesture of surrender.
"I guarantee you'll see hell from now on."
He would work them so hard they'd regret those words right now.
But that price would return as achievements worthy of their current resolve.
"Please, don't die. I'll also work myself to death."