Chapter 260: Is This Acceptable?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 260: Is This Acceptable?
The atmosphere was slightly more relaxed than the previous "trial" that had been masquerading as a meeting. Skaeda Justitia, an Orichalcum-grade explorer from Roanmarie, was only present because she had personally requested to be briefed on the information being shared.
It didn't seem like there was any intent to pressure me.
"Aven... was it? Is it all right if I call you that?"
"Yes, please do. And how should I address you?"
"Just Skaeda. My full name is already long enough; adding titles just makes it cumbersome."
"I see."
If we were talking about length, the name Adelaide was technically longer, but that was her business. Since Skaeda didn't seem to mind, I preferred the casual approach anyway.
"You can call me Murit. You're someone who has earned that right," said Murit Denshter.
"Haha... Is that so? Then please, feel free to call me Aven as well."
Murit Denshter was a middle-aged man with a somewhat lighthearted air about him. He had shaggy, dark green hair and a scratchy layer of stubble on his chin. Despite his appearance, he was a man whose martial prowess lived up to his reputation as an Orichalcum-grade explorer.
As for Adelaide Margarita... well, I didn't think much of her during our first meeting, but it seemed she still held a grudge from back then.
"Murit, take your feet off the desk."
"Don't be so stiff, Adel. There's no need to be so serious."
At Adelaide's glare, Murit gave a sly expression and lowered his feet. The three Chief Examiners were supposedly higher in rank than the five senior executives I had met before, but their tone and behavior didn't feel particularly oppressive.
"Hmm... So, you're saying the leader of the Antonio Brotherhood, the individual known as 'Mystery Antoinette,' was actually a member of the Succubus Species?"
"Yes, that is correct."
Skaeda was moving busily, scribbling down the information she received into a notebook. She seemed to have a deep interest in the matter, as she asked questions frequently.
"Mr. Aven, what happened to the residents in the Southeast?"
"The largest building owned by the Antonio Brotherhood was destroyed at the start of the conflict. Afterward, everyone within the potential combat zone was evacuated, and those in the surrounding areas were guided to escape on their own."
"Aha... I see."
I wasn't sure why she was so curious, but since her questions were mostly related to the incident, I didn't mind. Skaeda stared intently at her notes for a moment before speaking again, adding that this would be her final question.
"If the Succubus Queen, Lilith Astaroth, were to fight another Orichalcum-grade explorer... would the explorer be able to win?"
"...No."
"I see. Understood."
Perhaps I should have been a bit more cautious with that answer. By saying "no," I was essentially declaring with my own mouth that I was more powerful than the other Orichalcum Grades.
But it wasn't as if I could have said "yes." The biggest issue was that I didn't truly know the full extent of an Orichalcum Grade's combat power, and in reality, Lilith Astaroth was genuinely strong.
"Oh, right. There was something I was curious about, Aven."
"Go ahead, Murit."
"That woman. Lilith Astaroth. What did you do with the body?"
"Didn't you check for yourself?"
I had heard that Murit Denshter possessed a skill that allowed him to see the past. If so, shouldn't he already know that I had consumed her?
"Are you really going to make me say it? That skill isn't as perfect as you might think."
Murit pointed to his eyes. I could see the faint traces of magic dwelling within his dark green irises. He mentioned that the visions often appeared as fragmented scenes, so it was possible he had missed it.
"I absorbed her using my ability."
"Absorbed? Does that mean you are now able to use the Succubus Queen's powers?"
The question came suddenly from Adelaide Margarita, cutting straight to the point.
"What I consumed was the Succubus Queen's physical body while she was in a near-death state, having completely exhausted her mana. I cannot use her abilities."
"Then that means you'll be able to use them whenever you recover your mana?"
That was likely the answer Adelaide wanted to hear—that I had gained the abilities of Lilith Astaroth. And that I was in possession of skills that are forbidden, such as those that influence the minds of others, including brainwashing and mental collapse.
"That is technically true."
But so what?
"Are you aware? According to the laws regarding explorer skill possession designated by the Guild Headquarters, one cannot possess brainwashing-related skills."
"Is that so?"
"Do you not think this is problematic?"
"No, I don't."
"...Did you not just openly admit that you could use the Succubus Queen's power to brainwash others?"
Here she goes again. I didn't know if she had developed some sort of grudge because of our last encounter, but her constant attempts to stir up controversy were becoming unpleasant.
"Adelaide Margarita. What kind of answer are you looking for?"
"...What?"
"What do you want me to do? Are you suggesting I should delete the skill I possess?"
"Do not jump to conclusions. I did not mean—"
"You were the one who jumped to conclusions first. I already told you that I have no way to use the Succubus Queen's abilities at present."
"Does 'at present' not imply that a way will be found later!"
Adelaide surged to her feet, releasing an intense burst of mana. In an instant, a massive wave of mana began to swirl within the meeting room, prompting Murit, who was sitting beside her, to intervene.
"That's enough, Adelaide."
"...I am saying this because it is a dangerous power for an individual to possess. Hand over the Succubus Queen's remains to the Guild Headquarters and receive the appropriate compensation."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. It's far too dangerous an object for the Guild Headquarters to hold onto."
"Aven. An organization possesses power that an individual cannot hope to match. Do you truly believe the Guild Headquarters cannot safely store the remains of a Succubus Queen?"
"Yes. That is exactly what I believe."
Adelaide Margarita glared at me with a murderous look in her eyes. I had no idea what had made her so angry, but even after she sat back down, the mana fluctuations didn't subside, leaving the atmosphere in the room in disarray.
"Ah, wait. A question occurred to me."
"Yes, go ahead, Skaeda."
"Lilith Asto... Aste—"
"Astaroth."
"...You're saying Astaroth isn't dead yet?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Skaeda gripped her notebook again, her hand moving busily as she continued her questioning.
"Why didn't you kill her? That seems like an incredibly dangerous situation."
"Because she doesn't die. A Succubus Queen can absorb the mana of other living beings under her influence and reconstruct her body at any time."
"I see. Understood."
For a while, the only sound in the room was the scratch-scratch of Skaeda's pen. Once she stopped, Murit glanced toward the Chief Examiners. The three white-haired old men nodded and spoke.
"We will conclude the questioning regarding the previous incident here. Moving on, we would like to make a proposal to Explorer Aven."
"A proposal? What kind?"
"How would you feel about becoming an explorer directly affiliated with the Guild Headquarters?"
"Affiliated with Headquarters?"
This was quite out of left field. I had expected the discussion to be about my promotion to Orichalcum Grade, but suddenly they were trying to recruit me. Was this a "join us or you don't get the rank" kind of deal?
"I'm not particularly interested. Why do you ask?"
"Generally, for explorers, rising in rank is the ultimate goal. However, there is always the risk that as you continue your activities, you might acquire a terrible curse skill inside the Labyrinth."
"Ah, I see."
That part was actually fine. If I obtained a new skill and didn't like it, I could just rip out the circuit and spit it out. But there was no need to share that fact.
"Furthermore, it is somewhat risky for someone with martial prowess as great as yours to engage in other professions requiring force outside of Labyrinth exploration."
"Is that so?"
They were saying it was dangerous for someone like me to wield power on the surface instead of in the Labyrinth. Of course, I wasn't the only Orichalcum-grade explorer, but we were few in number.
If someone had the martial strength to face a hundred men as a knight, they would be part of the Imperial Knights. If they were a high-ranking mage, they would hold a high seat in the Page of Arcana.
But if an explorer became so powerful that no one could stop them, the general perception was that they were a danger to society.
"Therefore, on the condition that you work for the Guild Headquarters, we can offer you a sufficient salary and alleviate the risks that come with Labyrinth conquest."
It wasn't as if I couldn't make money without going into the Labyrinth. Just handling the transport requests the Lymain family sent every month would earn me more than most high-ranking explorers. Besides, it wasn't as if I lacked a purpose. I still had reasons to keep entering the Labyrinth.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll decline."
"That is a pity."
The man sitting in the center of the three Chief Examiners let out a deep sigh and flipped through the papers in his hand.
"Finally... this is regarding Explorer Aven's grade."
"Yes, please continue."
"Currently, there is an internal evaluation that your achievements within the Labyrinth do not yet meet the required criteria, but..."
"I see."
The Chief Examiner glanced toward Adelaide for a moment before continuing.
"There is internal consensus that, in terms of martial prowess alone, you should be promoted to Orichalcum Grade."
"Is that so?"
"However, since the Headquarters has yet to obtain a measured value of your actual combat power, a final conclusion has not been reached."
He took a long time to say it, but to summarize...
"You're saying a combat power measurement is required?"
"T-That is correct. If you are willing to undergo the measurement, the Headquarters has prepared two methods."
"What are they?"
Following his words, another Chief Examiner sitting beside him added the details.
"The first option is a Labyrinth Breakthrough Evaluation. Within a set time limit, you must reach the deepest stratum possible within Roanmarie's Great Labyrinth."
"I see."
"And the second option is... a duel."
I had a feeling it would be something like that.
"A duel with whom?"
"You may designate one explorer from among those affiliated with the Headquarters who is Palladium Grade or higher to be your opponent."
I had heard that the explorers affiliated with the Headquarters consisted of about 60 Cobalt Grades, 12 Palladium Grades, 4 Titanium Grades, and 2 Orichalcum Grades.
"Do you have a list?"
"We do. I shall show it to you."
At the Chief Examiner's gesture, a nearby employee handed me the list of Headquarters-affiliated explorers ranked Palladium and above. There were 16 names in total, including the Titanium Grades.
In that case...
"There are no Orichalcum Grades on here."
"...!"
"T-That is... yes, that is correct. For a duel..."
"Is it not allowed?"
I deliberately set the list down and turned my gaze toward Adelaide. The three Chief Examiners looked incredibly restless.
"It's possible, if you wish," Murit replied calmly.
Adelaide, however, was not so composed; she sat with her teeth clenched.
"The time is... four o'clock. I have other plans at eight, so I don't have much time to spare."
I was telling them I would finish it quickly.
"Would you be all right with dueling me, Lady Adelaide?"