Chapter 166: Even Nobles Fear Platinum Badges
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 166: Even Nobles Fear Platinum Badges
“These five Combat Priests, five Healers from the Nun Order, and Bishop Donovan are the ones who will be joining me from now on.”
I immediately made use of the seal I had received from the Pope.
These eleven individuals were the personnel I had drafted; they were the ones who would accompany me into the Labyrinth on my next expedition.
“Since you have all committed yourselves to the conquest of the Labyrinth, I trust you will stand with me at the very front lines.”
“Let us do our best.”
I shook hands with Bishop Donovan.
The middle-aged Bishop was a man of considerable integrity. Having no family and finding his life rather dull lately, he had agreed to join my Labyrinth raid team.
With this, I was finally able to establish a makeshift relief station within the Labyrinth. Since priests generally avoided entering the Labyrinth whenever possible, it was better to draft them like this and bring them along. Furthermore, if they showed significant results, other clerics would likely be more willing to enter the Labyrinth as well.
“Then, please wait just a little longer until the next expedition.”
“Yes. I am already looking forward to it.”
Now that I had finished recruiting even a Bishop, my business with the Church was concluded.
I headed toward the Central Hall, where the Council was convening, while being carried on Rosier’s back. I had been summoned.
“Lord Sion, Lady Rosier, and Leah, the Bronze Badge adventurer.”
“That is correct. We request entry to the Council.”
“Confirmed. You may head up to the second floor.”
The room was different from the one I had been dragged into for the hearing last time. That had been a fairly large assembly hall, but today’s venue was a smaller space, perhaps because there were fewer people attending.
“Come in.”
As I entered the conference room where a round table was set, I saw Guild Master Moira, Yuria, and Tirahan—the representative of the city’s nobility. Sitting with them was Reis, the goat-bearded noble who had vehemently opposed Rafnel’s Labyrinth expedition.
“I’ve heard the story from Lady Yuria. Is it true that you have occupied the Underground City?”
“Yes. It’s not a complete occupation yet, but we have been partially successful.”
When I answered Tirahan’s question with confidence, Moira, who was sitting next to him, nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Didn’t I tell you? He’s a man who gets things done.”
“Indeed, the Guild Master was right. To think he’d produce results in less than a month...”
“I shall concede. He is a remarkable individual.”
“And from what I hear, you defeated a Manticore, a Chimera, and even a Minotaur all by yourself.”
“It was only possible because it was a chaotic melee.”
“No matter how chaotic it was, such a feat is normally impossible.”
“Not only did you kill the masters of the Underground City alone, but word has it you can command hundreds of Vengeful Spirits.”
Had information about the Spirit Summoning already reached their ears?
It was unlikely that Yuria had told them. She would never leak information about my abilities to others. That meant the adventurers who survived this expedition must have spread the word as soon as they returned. They were cross-referencing Yuria’s report with the information those adventurers had blurted out.
To ensure I couldn't lie, they had already planted informants within the expeditionary force.
“That is correct.”
“Should we consider them your private army?”
“Rather than a private army, I think it would be better to view them as collaborators for the conquest of the Labyrinth.”
“Hmm.”
Reis, the goat-bearded noble, wore a displeased expression.
“To be honest, I would like to commend your achievements and leave it at that. However, my position does not allow me to do so.”
“I am aware.”
After the last hearing, I had heard about Tirahan and Reis from Moira. Tirahan was the head of the Council and the leader of the progressive nobles, while Reis was the leader of the conservatives. I also knew that the two shared a deep friendship.
In short, Reis was in a position where he had no choice but to vote against my radical Labyrinth conquest plan. Furthermore, his role was to monitor me to ensure I didn't become a threat to the Labyrinth City.
That was likely why he spoke that way. He knew there was nothing to gain from making an enemy of me, yet his position forced him to ask sharp, pointed questions.
“I actually have no particular ambition regarding the Labyrinth City. To be honest, I don’t even enjoy going into the Labyrinth that much. However, if I stay still, I won’t be able to stop the Labyrinth Eruption. I am only moving because I have no other choice.”
“Is that so? I trust that having no interest in the Labyrinth City doesn't mean your goal is the dominion of the Labyrinth itself?”
“As I stated during the last hearing, I intend to leave cleanly once the Labyrinth conquest is successful. The Vengeful Spirits of the adventurers who have come under my command will also be disbanded as soon as the conquest is over.”
Tirahan nodded at my words. However, Reis seemed to have more to say as he spoke up again.
“I understand what you’re saying for now. However, as a leader, I must respond to the fact that someone who is not a citizen of this city holds such immense power. I know it is possible for you to have those hundreds of Vengeful Spirits possess the bodies of monsters or even humans at your whim. To put it bluntly, what would happen if you took over my body and inserted a spirit you’ve subjugated? Can you imagine it? No one would be able to stop your plans then.”
It was a use for the Vengeful Spirits I hadn't even considered, but it was a fear entirely appropriate for a statesman.
If I truly set my mind to taking over this city, it was well within my power. If I were to seize the bodies of Tirahan and Reis right now, the Labyrinth City would effectively fall into my hands.
“I agree that this is a valid fear. Your power has grown too great to simply be left alone.”
Tirahan agreed with Reis’s point.
“Sion is not that kind of person.”
“Guild Master, humans become infinitely pathetic in the face of desire. You know this as well.”
“....”
“Few things are filthy from the very beginning. Of course, there are those who are drenched in ambition from the start, but most people break down as they are consumed by the circumstances given to them. No one knows how long the young man before us will continue to run purely toward the goal of conquering the Labyrinth.”
“Then what do you intend to do? If you plan to put a Subjugation Collar on his neck, you’ll have to go through me first.”
A hint of murderous intent flickered in Moira’s eyes. She was warning them that if they wanted to put a leash on my neck, they would have to kill her first.
“Whoa, whoa! Calm down! Are you really directing bloodlust at us old men right now?”
“Whoa! We’re all going to die at this rate. Please, don’t do that. We’re just trying to find a solution, aren't we?”
At Moira’s anger, Tirahan and Reis practically had a fit, jumping up from their seats and recoiling. They scrambled away, terrified that she might actually lose her mind and draw her sword.
“What is this! You’ve made a disgraceful scene in front of so many witnesses!”
“Guild Master, you have a very short fuse. Reaching for your sword hilt before we’ve even decided on a plan... that’s a bad habit!”
“Exactly! That’s right! You shouldn't act like that toward frail old men!”
“Fine. I’ve taken my hand off.”
“Phew... I’m old and have no strength left; don't give me a heart attack.”
“Take off that sword and leave it against the wall over there. Good grief. We must be the only nobles who have to fear for our lives every time we hold a meeting.”
Moira eventually unbuckled the Magic Sword from her waist and set it in a corner of the room.
“Phew. Getting old makes me sweat so much.”
“As you can see, we are in a position to coordinate opinions, not people with the power to directly restrain you.”
I nodded. Both Tirahan and Reis had been prominent adventurers in their prime, but now they were merely elders of the House of Nobles. They knew all too well that if Platinum Badge-class adventurers went on a rampage, they would be slaughtered.
“The greatest ideology of the Labyrinth City is freedom and adventure. Do you know why that is?”
“A long time ago, there was a massive purge.”
“Adventurers rose up en masse against the oppression of ignorant nobles and executed every last one of them.”
“And one of the ringleaders of that incident is the person right here.”
“Ah.”
It seemed Moira had been the executioner during that noble-slaying spectacle. No wonder those two were terrified. The number of nobles Moira had killed must have been staggering.
“At that time, nobles from the Keislan Kingdom and the envoys from the Catlan Empire were all cut down as well.”
“Just thinking about it still gives me the chills. At any rate, we are not in a position to recklessly suppress your freedom. You are an adventurer, and thus, you are under the protection of the Guild.”
“I understand what you mean.”
As long as Moira was backing me, they couldn't suppress me without cause. Since an adventurer rebellion would lead to the collapse of the city, they maintained order by creating laws and regulations that were as favorable to adventurers as possible.
“For now, the Council requests a list of the souls you have contracted with. It would be very helpful if you could provide their ranks and names.”
“A list of their names?”
“Indeed. It is to see if any of their relatives are still alive. And we need to know the extent of their skills to establish some kind of policy. I hope you understand that we have no choice but to prepare countermeasures for your abilities.”
“Furthermore, we do not wish for more than a certain number of them to come out of the Labyrinth at once. Do you understand what we’re getting at?”
“Yes. I understand perfectly.”
It was a request not to make any gestures that might suggest I was plotting a rebellion. Tirahan and Reis were people who knew the terror of a rampaging adventurer, but the young blood currently in the House of Nobles did not. They didn't want any more conflict.
“Let’s set the limit at twenty. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good. The rest shall remain inside for the Labyrinth conquest.”
“And the matter of putting Vengeful Spirits into the bodies of the living requires further consideration.”
“I included that as a promise when I contracted with the spirits. I decided to give them the bodies of death row inmates as compensation for their labor.”
“Is that so? Well, let’s see.”
“Regardless, we will need that list. There are quite a few adventurers who committed crimes and disappeared into the Labyrinth. There might be those who try to do something strange after obtaining a body by pretending to be innocent.”
“Understood. I will submit the list in the future.”
We agreed that I would first submit the list of Vengeful Spirits in my possession, and then someone capable of ‘Lie Detection’ would be brought in to verify that I wasn't hiding any other adventurer spirits.
I could comply with this much. I fully understood their concerns.
“Let’s leave it at this for today. Thank you for answering our call despite your injuries.”
“Not at all. I look forward to working with you.”
“Of course. We also desire the conquest of the Labyrinth. If you need help, just say the word.”
Just because they were cunning old foxes didn't mean I had to have a bad relationship with them. They were simply doing their best in their respective positions. Therefore, it was more beneficial for me to build friendly relations with the people of the Labyrinth City and receive their support.
My enemy was the Labyrinth, not my fellow man. To stand against the malice of the Labyrinth, humanity needed to be united.