The Continental Summit
The continental conference, where powers converged on the empire. This meeting, orchestrated by the North drawing in the South, had long been promised as a gathering of the continent's major forces from the North, South, East, West, and Central regions to prepare for the looming great threat. Originally planned as a meeting between only the North and South, the scale expanded when the Grand Duke of the North inexplicably pulled in the East and West. When Central nations with pro-North leanings declared their participation, the remaining powers rushed to join as if their feet were on fire, completing the plan for a massive conference involving every force on the continent.
The news of a conference of such unprecedented scale swept across the entire continent in an instant. Never before had a gathering of this magnitude been formed. Rumors of unknown origin spread through the mouths of gossipmongers, stirring the continent, but reality was always different from imagination. Scholars with deep knowledge were certain it would take an eternity just to coordinate the schedules of so many factions and decide on a location. That is, until the North officially announced the start of the conference.
"What?! The conference is in one month?!"
"How is that even possible?!"
"The location! Where exactly is it being held?!"
The negotiations conducted behind the scenes had progressed far faster than the scholars had anticipated. It was proof that the North was taking this matter with utmost seriousness. The conditions for joining the envoy delegation were equally stringent.
"Anyone below Silver rank is ineligible!"
"Silver-rank adventurers, please proceed this way!"
People flocked to the testing grounds that had sprung up at each branch. Silver-rank adventurers active at the Edenberg Adventurer Guild branch gathered to become members of the envoy delegation, and guild staff hurried about to test them. This was the first conference in history where the continent's great powers would all participate. Simply joining as an envoy carried meaning, and since the meeting would surely not end there, making an impression could bring honor and glory. That was why the Silver-rank adventurers prepared thoroughly and took part in the tests.
"They're working hard."
"It's a rare opportunity, after all."
"True. If I were still Silver-rank, I'd probably be doing everything I could to join."
"And now?"
"No way I'd miss something this fun."
"Haha. Fair enough."
While watching the adventurers preparing for the tests from a distance, I chatted with Owen. Owen and I had already been confirmed for participation through the guild's internal review, so we had time to spare. Gold-rank adventurers were high-value personnel the guild managed with care. All information about them, including their achievements, was stored in the guild archives. Based on those records, the guild had already selected the adventurers for the envoy. With so many Silver-rank adventurers, comparing them one by one to those already selected would have been impossible without driving the guild staff to exhaustion. Instead, the focus was on their specialties rather than past records.
"By the way, do you think Argo's companions will manage?"
"They'll be fine. They're not weak by any means."
"Still, you never know what might happen~ If some unexpected variable causes trouble, it would be a bit disappointing."
"Don't worry. I trust those guys."
Considering the incidents we'd resolved together, passing the test was practically guaranteed. Neon, as the irreplaceable official black mage in the North, was a shoo-in. Adela and Beatrice were also certain to pass given their abilities and skills. If they failed, they could simply participate as tamed monsters. As expected, the three passed with ease. Along with them, several other adventurers like Grid, Gorax, and Arash also passed, finalizing the envoy members from the Edenberg branch.
Once the successful candidates were decided, we finished our departure preparations and headed to the plains in front of the capital of the Libertas domain, the assembly point. Though there was still a month until the conference, we needed to depart quickly considering travel distance and preparations at the venue. Riding Ikelos, we moved swiftly and arrived, then checked the participant list and clicked our tongues in amazement.
"Wow, every single one of them is a formidable warrior."
"At this level, you'd only see them on the front lines."
Led by the ruler of the North, Grand Duke Arthur Libertas, and the Blue Fanged Wolf, Vergo—two Master-class warriors—were two knight orders from the front lines, dozens of nobles, and the elite adventurers of the Adventurer Guild. In addition, there were the front-line staff and guild employees for negotiations, scholars arriving from various regions for exchange meetings, and more scholars participating in those meetings. This was not merely national-level power; it was the greatest force capable of conquering the entire Central region assembled in one place. Hundreds of warriors who could each take on a thousand men. Among them were even two beings who could be called nations unto themselves. It was no exaggeration to say that the full might of the North had gathered.
While observing the envoys chatting in small groups, Vergo approached with a playful expression.
"How about it? Quite the spectacle, isn't it?"
"I can't believe they're using this much power just for intimidation."
"So, you don't like it?"
"No. On the contrary, it looks like it'll be fun, so I'm all for it."
The more people gathered in one place, the more complex the interests became and the more conflicts arose. Given the nature of the forces assembling at the conference, political battles would rage nonstop. Unlike the straightforward Northerners, people from other regions would drag the meeting out with all sorts of troublesome issues. Naturally, a prolonged conference was not in the North's favor. In truth, the envoy's primary role was to physically intimidate the other powers into participating quietly without any tricks. At the same time, it served to display the North's military might and solidify its prestige.
As departure time approached, Grand Duke Arthur, who had been handling matters elsewhere, arrived and surveyed the envoy.
"Everyone here?"
"You're the latest to arrive, Your Grace."
"The protagonist always makes a late entrance."
"That is true."
Arthur, who had been casually chatting with Vergo, looked over the gathered crowd.
"No need for a grand explanation, right? We're heading to the imperial capital in the Central region for the conference, and once it's over, we come back. That's it."
Everyone at the assembly point nodded at Arthur's words. Though the continental conference had been described in grand terms, in the end, it was simply a matter of participating, letting the working-level staff hold their meetings, and escorting them back. Others might shout about some grand cause or call it a historic event, but to us, it was nothing special. None of the things we had done were unimportant, and none of the things we would do were unimportant. For warriors who had always fought for the peace of the North, this was just another day.
"Of course, that doesn't mean we can go as usual. If we want to avoid being looked down on by those who care so much about appearances, we'd better put on a show of strength before we arrive."
"Kuhuhu."
"Excellent idea!"
Arthur's words drew chuckles from the group. Many of those participating in this envoy had joined because it looked fun. While gaining honor and glory was a goal, the desire to prove who was stronger in a battle of pride against other regions was even stronger.
"Everyone got it? Then let's move out."
After finishing his brief speech, Arthur took the lead, and the envoy followed. There was no need for a grand parade or a massive crowd to see us off. The hundreds of envoys and the Grand Duke were more than enough. Though only a few hundred, they instilled a greater sense of pride than any throng could.
Thanks to that, the journey to the Central region went smoothly. After nonstop travel, we passed through the gateway city leading from the edge of the North into the Central region, crossed several nations, and arrived at the empire. We came to a halt in front of the border count's city guarding the empire's territory, as if by prior agreement.
Vergo, standing at the front, looked at the city with a bored expression.
"Those guys are definitely going to start a pride contest, aren't they?"
"It's obvious even without looking."
We had clashed with the empire, which considered itself the greatest, multiple times. Each time we had crushed them, yet they survived as tenaciously as cockroaches. This time would be no different. Imagining them picking a fight over pride, even if not openly, Arthur and Vergo both wore disgusted expressions before turning their gazes to me.
"In that sense, Argo, we need your help this time."
"Those monsters you've been raising in the Water Realm. Bring some of them out."
"I figured you'd ask, so I already prepared."
At their request, I opened rifts to the Water Realm without hesitation. In the months since the Fire Dragon hunt, the number of monsters I had tamed was by no means small. As the massive monsters emerged from over a dozen rifts and radiated their presence, the envoy looked on with interest at the docile creatures. At least by their standards, they had rarely seen monsters this well-behaved. Unless it was a naturally docile species like the Gorax, most monsters were ill-tempered.
With a confident smile, I addressed the envoy members, who were curiously poking at the monsters.
"Pick one you like and climb on."
A contest of pride? That only worked when both sides were evenly matched. With hundreds of veteran warriors exuding their aura and the monsters displaying their fighting spirit, the other side would be too dazed to even respond, pride or not. At my words, the envoys grinned wickedly and mounted the monsters of their choice.
"Let's go!"
"Yeah! This is more like it!"
"Wahahaha! This is actually pretty fun!"
The medium and large monsters, including Gorax and Laserdon, began their march in unison. As expected, upon spotting the approaching horde of massive monsters, the city erupted into chaos with alarm bells ringing. The border count, who had been preparing a grand parade to welcome the envoy from the North, wore a dumbfounded expression.