Gold Beyond the Wall
Fortress! Nest! Construction! As my submerged consciousness resurfaced, the oppressive presence that had weighed on me vanished, and the arena came into focus. Slowly opening my eyes, I felt the immense power circulating through my entire body and smiled. That wasn't all. My very perception of the world had expanded, and the sprout that had been relentlessly tormenting the Laserdon had finally finished evolving. I sent Ikelos to retrieve the sword-spear embedded in the wall. When I infused it with aura, a brilliantly shining aura blade manifested. As I stared blankly at the aura blade, Vergo, standing across from me, grinned playfully and asked,
"How does it feel to have reached Gold-class?"
"It's incredible."
"Master-class is even more incredible, you idiot."
Vergo had apparently been watching quietly since I entered my state of enlightenment. Once he confirmed I had crossed the wall, he turned to the audience and shouted,
"Behold! A new adventurer has surpassed the wall right here! Let us all applaud the birth of a great warrior!"
"""Waaaaaaaah!"""
The spectators, who had been holding their breath while watching, erupted into cheers at Vergo's words. From the moment I attained enlightenment and entered a trance, the crowd had remained deathly silent, observing with bated breath. Witnessing the rare moment of someone reaching Gold-class made their long journey worthwhile.
"That's amazing!"
"Does this mean there's one more Gold-class adventurer in the North?"
"Isn't he basically a supernova? I heard he only switched from guild employee to adventurer less than a year ago."
"It's almost been a year now."
As if making up for their earlier silence, the people chattered nonstop. They expressed their awe at the sacred moment of enlightenment and crossing the wall, or voiced their excitement about his future exploits. The warriors reacted most enthusiastically. Vergo's generous teachings hadn't been limited to me alone—they had influenced everyone who witnessed the duel. Several warriors gained small or large insights, and many more now had a vague sense of the path that had once seemed insurmountable. Those who planned to use this experience as nourishment for their growth applauded most fervently. After all, the scene before them was precisely the future they aspired to and the goal they would one day reach.
Adventurers who had witnessed their own aspirations rose from their seats with sun-like burning passion.
"I can't just sit here. I'm heading straight to the training grounds!"
"You too? Me too!"
"We need to hurry if we want good spots! The exam's over, so let's go!"
Vergo laughed heartily at the sight of the adventurers moving so quickly.
"Hahaha! Looks like those guys caught fire, huh?"
"It's only natural after seeing something so inspiring as an adventurer."
Who among them could remain still after witnessing this? Having directly witnessed a moment that would be talked about for years to come, it was only natural for their blood to boil. I nodded inwardly in agreement, did a light stretch, and looked at Vergo standing across from me. Smiling as if he already knew what I was about to say, I asked the standard question.
"So, did I pass the exam?"
"You passed perfectly."
I clasped the hand Vergo extended and struck my chest. Paying my respects to the senior who had imparted his teachings, Vergo likewise struck his chest in acknowledgment of the junior who had followed through splendidly. Those watching also struck their chests in excitement. Even the adventurers rushing toward the training grounds stopped to strike their chests upon seeing the sight. Perhaps they couldn't contain their heightened emotions after witnessing a historic scene that might become part of a great hero's legend.
Right on cue, the host who had descended into the arena shouted,
My heart is pounding just watching this! At this very moment, the challenger Argo has shattered the wall and stepped into a great realm!
The host smiled lightly and tried to calm the crowd roaring with cheers that threatened to shake the arena apart.
Now, now, I know everyone's hearts are burning, but let's settle down. Next up is the conferment ceremony for the challenger who showed us this great leap, to be conducted by His Excellency the Regent of Edenberg.
However, Veil appeared before the host could calm them and, holding the voice-amplifying magic tool, told everyone to cheer to their hearts' content. The cheers grew even louder. Veil, who had been smiling while listening to the occasional praises, handed over the Gold-class adventurer badge that a servant was holding and patted my shoulder.
Adventurer Argo, you have been active in the Edenberg territory, subjugating countless monsters and making great contributions to the safety of the North.
"I even fought on the front lines."
Hahaha, I read about it in the reports too. When I heard you organized an expedition, I thought my father or brothers were playing a prank.
Veil chuckled at my words and looked at me with proud eyes before turning to the stands and shouting,
Everyone, pay attention to this adventurer! A hero who has been active since his Bronze days, solving major incidents in both the North and Central regions! Here, you will witness the beginning of the moment when he and his companions' exploits will shake the entire continent! Blessings upon Argo, who has worked for the peace of the North! Pray for blessings upon the adventurers and nobles who continue to struggle against monsters even now!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! At Veil's cry signaling the end of the exam, people stomped their feet in rhythm and struck their chests. Even if Argo's exploits ended here, it wouldn't matter. What he had accomplished so far wouldn't disappear, and fighting dangerous monsters was worthy of praise even if done only once. Thus, the people sincerely blessed Argo, and further blessed the adventurers and nobles fighting monsters for the North. Hoping this peace would last forever.
A few days had passed since the noisy exam ended. The moment I entered my lodging after the exam, the accumulated fatigue exploded, leaving me groaning in bed. It was fortunate this was only my second time facing the world. Otherwise, I might have fainted in the arena. Truthfully, even then I had been clinging to consciousness through sheer willpower, but thanks to that, the exam ended on a good note, didn't it? Anyway, after resting for a few days, my recovery was complete.
"Recovery complete!"
"Already?"
Neon, who had been leisurely drinking coffee and reading a magic book on the first floor of the adventurer lodging, made a surprised expression. It was understandable, given what he had seen of me being beaten by Vergo, but surprisingly, the injuries from Vergo weren't that severe. Probably because it was an exam, the focus had been on subduing rather than attacking.
"The wounds weren't as deep as I thought. The time needed for recovery was mostly for restoring my mental strength."
"Still, that's incredibly fast. Is it because of the Northern Breathing Method?"
"The Northern Breathing Method is impressive, but at your level, you should be able to learn it now, shouldn't you?"
"Huh?"
Neon gave me a puzzled look at my words. Had he really not known? I explained for Neon, who didn't understand what I meant.
"Because of the Mystery, no one except Northerners can learn the breathing method. But conversely, if you receive the Mystery's recognition, people from other regions can learn it too."
"I know that much, but I heard that usually, to receive the Mystery's recognition, you have to stay in the North for several years, right?"
"To be precise, the standard is how much you've contributed to the North."
Considering the achievements Neon had made while working with me so far, he had long since surpassed the threshold. The Mystery had probably been impressed by Neon and granted permission to learn the breathing method. Thinking so, Neon tried using the breathing method with a doubtful expression. The principle of the breathing method was so simple that even children could learn it, so he had learned it with the intention of using it someday. After repeating the breathing a few times, Neon's expression brightened dramatically and he stood up.
"Oh, ooh! It works! Mana is gathering!"
"Congratulations. You've officially become an honorary Northerner recognized by the Mystery."
"With this, I can take a hit from a monster and still move fine!"
Watching Neon say such things right after learning the breathing method, it seemed he had accepted his role in the party as the evasion tank. I looked at the delighted Neon with a pleased expression, then suddenly thought of the two who weren't here and asked,
"By the way, where did Adela and Beatrice go?"
"Hahaha! Huh? If it's those two, they probably went to the artisan district where the workshops are concentrated."
"The artisan district? Why there?"
"You know the owner of Vulcan's Embers, right? That dwarf named Barok."
Of course I knew him. He was the craftsman still making my armor. It was an acquaintance I had met during my first visit to the artisan district, and we had maintained our relationship ever since. Unlike the Dragon Slayer's Sword-Spear which possessed the Unchanging attribute, armor was still a consumable item, after all.
"Apparently Adela was singing about fortress construction over there, and he said he'd help build it."
"How? The architects should be at the front lines expanding the fortress by now."
"Barok's clan is in the Central region."
Ah, that made sense. It was a fact everyone who knew about it was aware of. After all, while other regions might be different, the Central region still had lingering discrimination against other races, so it wasn't strange for those from there to come to other regions. There were many other races besides Barok who originated from other regions.
Neon, who had been checking his mana while repeating the breathing method, continued.
"Recently, it seems Barok's entire clan wants to move to the North."
"Because of the chaotic situation in the Central region, I suppose."
"That too, and originally, the Central region isn't a very good place for other races to live, is it?"
If you asked which region was best for other races to live in, the North would be first and the Central region would be the worst—that said it all. On top of that, with the political situation being chaotic, it seemed difficult for a dwarf community that was only at the level of a small village to endure. It looked like they were thinking of settling in the livable North while they were moving anyway.
Having roughly grasped the situation, I understood why Barok had used mobile nest construction as bait for Adela.
"He could've just told me directly. Why go through Adela?"
"He originally tried to pass the message to you, but since you were groaning in the lodging for a few days, he ended up telling Adela instead."
"Then it can't be helped."
"He said he'd officially post a request at the guild soon, and he definitely wants to include you as the designated adventurer."
"If it's an official guild request, I have no reason to refuse. It's not like my relationship with Uncle Barok is awkward either."
The service was good, and the quality of the armor was excellent, so I had been indebted to him several times. Since he wasn't offering it for free, I thought receiving the request wouldn't be bad either. With the intention of meeting Barok after a long time to talk, I headed to the artisan district. When I arrived at Vulcan's Embers, where Barok was the owner, I encountered an unexpected sight.
"Grrrrr!"
"S-save me, Argo! Please get this girl off me!"
"Fortress! Nest! Construction!"
"Miss Adela! Please calm down first!"
"Hey! Quickly bring the apprentices! Hold Miss Adela back!"
Watching Barok fleeing in terror, the apprentices trying desperately to pull her off, and Adela rampaging with her eyes half-rolled back, I pressed my forehead and let out a sigh. In the end, the mobile nest addiction had reached its terminal stage.