Chapter 198: Master Key (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 198: Master Key (3)
When the Master, the person who first created the private chat room called the Watchers of the Round Table, disappeared without a trace, everyone made sounds of disappointment.
"Huh, he really is gone."
"...That was different than just leaving a chat room."
"Yes, it was almost like he was logging out."
Their voices were full of questions. Well, I felt similarly.
"I thought you could only log out when you returned to your room?"
"I think, based on what he said, it was more like he was being kicked out."
It was very different from Baekho's situation. To start, Baekho took a prototype pill which limited his time in Ghost Busters to one hour. But what about the Master? As far as I could tell, this was a problem that had arisen for someone who was normally fine using the community. Did everyone else have similar thoughts?
"What on earth is Master going through?"
"Hehe, I don't know, but one thing is for sure."
"What is?"
Clown lowered his voice at Fox's question. "His one-year disappearance has something to do with the GM."
There was a moment of silence, not because this information was shocking, but because everyone took a moment to reflect on it. The general verdict was in agreement with Clown's theory.
"Well, that's probably the most likely explanation."
"But there's one thing that doesn't make sense. If Master really is under the GM's control, how did he show up here again?"
"He's a mysterious guy. Since this space is created by magic, maybe he found a solution through magic?"
"Th-th-that means our master could be a wizard more powerful than the GM who created this community!"
"That's definitely plausible. Hehe."
Afterward, the members exchanged all sorts of theories and I just listened quietly to all the interesting content. Of course, that didn't last long.
"...Um, Mr. Lion, do you know anything?"
Before long, their attention naturally turned to me. This was to be expected. After all, I had pretended to be Baekho and called him Gramps. They were probably wondering if I knew anything.
"Not sure."
How would I know? I was just as curious about his identity as they were. Of course, I had no intention of telling them that. That was so not cool.
"Oh, I see. You don't—"
Saying "I don't know" didn't suit Lion, so I decided to go with a better option. I cut Fox off. "But I have a hunch."
That was when Fox's disappointed tone brightened considerably. "A hunch? I-Is that true? I'm not doubting you, but..." Through the crack in her mask, I could see Fox's eyes fill up with a blossoming anticipation. It was the same for the other masks.
Actually, I don't even have a hunch.
My modern-man conscience squirmed, but I ignored it.
"P-Please tell us. What happened to the Master—?"
I cut Fox off again. "Enough."
"Eh?" Fox, who had apparently believed I was going to tell them, stared at me blankly. However, there was no need for me to explain myself in detail. A slight shrug was enough. There was no one here who didn't know the meaning of this gesture anymore.
"Hehehe, you want us to bring you something interesting."
If you want something from me, you need to bring me something adequate—that was the ironclad rule Lion had established for the Round Table. So how would Fox respond?
"All right." Just as expected. She was the one who was almost obsessive about the Master's current situation. "Still, my hurdle is a bit lower, right? Since it's just a hunch and not a fact..."
I didn't answer, and Fox let out a deep sigh. I guessed she never expected to find herself in this situation just like Clown, who had taken the bait of the holy relic, and Crescent Moon, who was obsessed with the Stone of Revival.
"Somehow, it feels like I've gained a comrade. Fox, you'll be in for a hard time too."
Fox just let out a harsh, resigned laugh at Crescent Moon's attempt at consoling her. This meant that the quality of her news would go up in the future.
All that's left are Deer and Goblin.
Setting aside my satisfaction, I spoke in a purposefully nonchalant tone. "How boring. Isn't that enough small talk?"
"Yes, let's start the gathering."
I had planted enough seeds; it was time to harvest them. So, after the third month, when no one was present, the fourth month of our gathering began.
Goblin kicked us off. "The wizards of the tower are working together to look for a way to break Noark's barrier." When he first said that, everyone else reacted as if that was obvious, but they were soon convinced by his additional information. "It seems that a fixed amount of divine power is required for the process, and they believe they can at the very least reduce the time it'll take for the barrier to come down."
"I guess that means there has been some degree of progress in the research."
"Yes, that's right."
To sum it up, the magic curtain protecting Noark might be ripped off soon. Well, I didn't know how soon it would be, though.
Raven said it will take at least two years.
Finishing off with news that the Magic Tower had set a goal of shaving off six months, Goblin's turn was over.
Next was Deer. "The palace has produced a new type of identification tag. It's a magic device in the form of an engraving that cannot be counterfeited. It seems that preparations were made a while ago, but it will be supplied to adventurers starting next week."
"Next week, huh? That's not helpful at all. It's not like this is information we can benefit from knowing in advance."
"Then one more. The palace is keeping an eye on clans that have stopped adventuring and are playing it safe."
"What do you mean by 'keeping an eye'?"
"If I had to guess based on the political climate, it seems a significant disadvantage will be given to them, though I can't be sure."
"...I see." She tried to hide it, but Fox seemed relieved by Deer's follow-up. I noted that reaction down.
Fox likely belongs to a clan. She wouldn't be a regular member, though. Maybe a clan master?
Of course, I could only speculate at this stage, so I tuned into the next person. It was Fox's turn. "Mega clans are preparing a large-scale boycott."
"Boycott?"
"Boycott. They won't be entering the labyrinth as a group. They were already very dissatisfied after the conquest, and then a recent incident lit a fire in them."
"Hehehe, you want us to bring you something interesting."
If you want something from me, you need to bring me something adequate—that was the ironclad rule Lion had established for the Round Table. So how would Fox respond?
"All right." Just as expected. She was the one who was almost obsessive about the Master's current situation. "Still, my hurdle is a bit lower, right? Since it's just a hunch and not a fact..."
I didn't answer, and Fox let out a deep sigh. I guessed she never expected to find herself in this situation just like Clown, who had taken the bait of the holy relic, and Crescent Moon, who was obsessed with the Stone of Revival.
"Somehow, it feels like I've gained a comrade. Fox, you'll be in for a hard time too."
Fox just let out a harsh, resigned laugh at Crescent Moon's attempt at consoling her. This meant that the quality of her news would go up in the future.
All that's left are Deer and Goblin.
Setting aside my satisfaction, I spoke in a purposefully nonchalant tone. "How boring. Isn't that enough small talk?"
"Yes, let's start the gathering."
I had planted enough seeds; it was time to harvest them. So, after the third month, when no one was present, the fourth month of our gathering began.
Goblin kicked us off. "The wizards of the tower are working together to look for a way to break Noark's barrier." When he first said that, everyone else reacted as if that was obvious, but they were soon convinced by his additional information. "It seems that a fixed amount of divine power is required for the process, and they believe they can at the very least reduce the time it'll take for the barrier to come down."
"I guess that means there has been some degree of progress in the research."
"Yes, that's right."
To sum it up, the magic curtain protecting Noark might be ripped off soon. Well, I didn't know how soon it would be, though.
Raven said it will take at least two years.
Finishing off with news that the Magic Tower had set a goal of shaving off six months, Goblin's turn was over.
Next was Deer. "The palace has produced a new type of identification tag. It's a magic device in the form of an engraving that cannot be counterfeited. It seems that preparations were made a while ago, but it will be supplied to adventurers starting next week."
"Next week, huh? That's not helpful at all. It's not like this is information we can benefit from knowing in advance."
"Then one more. The palace is keeping an eye on clans that have stopped adventuring and are playing it safe."
"What do you mean by 'keeping an eye'?"
"If I had to guess based on the political climate, it seems a significant disadvantage will be given to them, though I can't be sure."
"...I see." She tried to hide it, but Fox seemed relieved by Deer's follow-up. I noted that reaction down.
Fox likely belongs to a clan. She wouldn't be a regular member, though. Maybe a clan master?
Of course, I could only speculate at this stage, so I tuned into the next person. It was Fox's turn. "Mega clans are preparing a large-scale boycott."
"Boycott?"
"Boycott. They won't be entering the labyrinth as a group. They were already very dissatisfied after the conquest, and then a recent incident lit a fire in them."
"Oh, that. I know what you're referring to." Crescent Moon jumped in, apparently familiar with the subject. "Bjorn Yandel, right?"
Huh? Why was my name coming up here?
"Yes. That's right. The palace banished an ordinary adventurer to Bifron for something that originally would have ended with a fine."
Oh, that...
"Law enforcement is under their domain, of course, but most clans interpreted this as a warning."
"Public opinion must not be great."
"Yes. There's talk that if clans give the palace any more power, they could be forcibly drafted next time there's need for an army."
My hands stiffened and my lips went dry the moment my name was mentioned, but luckily no one seemed to notice my reaction. No one seemed particularly interested in Bjorn Yandel, either.
Whew, I nearly had a heart attack.
Anyway, after Fox answered Deer's additional questions, the third turn was also over.
"Okay then, who wants to go next? Should we continue clockwise?"
"...Clown, can you go first?"
"Well, if you want." At Crescent Moon's request, Clown readily took the fourth turn. He was the one I was most looking forward to, but it seemed he hadn't been able to find any interesting information this time. "To be honest, I don't think this is something Mr. Lion will be interested in, but I'll give it a try anyway." Unlike when he told us about the binding spell, Clown spoke almost like he'd already written his turn off entirely. "Right before Noark went into lockdown, they sent a few people aboveground. Their goal is to kill one specific adventurer! Shocking, huh?"
"Assassins... Do you know who the target is too?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know that much either, hehehe!" The fourth turn ended with an elusive smile. Clown didn't even ask if I was intrigued. Well, how would he know that out of all the things I'd heard today, this was the most interesting?
An assassin from Noark...
Immediately, a person came to mind: Amelia Rainwales. Could she be one of the assassins sent up? Judging by her abilities, she would be perfect for the role.
Then does that mean the target is Auril Gavis?
The thought did come to mind, but somehow I didn't think that was the case. It hadn't sounded like she was lying when she said that her search for him was her personal business. Anyway, I'd have to think this all through later.
"Now it's my turn." The long-awaited fifth turn began. The main character of this turn was Crescent Moon, who desperately sought the Stone of Revival. He seemed confident, considering he had asked a few minutes ago if my promise was still valid. I wondered what he had prepared. "Does everyone remember what I said before about the traces of the Relic Thief?"
"Of course."
When Crescent Moon carefully started, the other masks all nodded, except for Goblin, who had been absent at that gathering. "Sorry? What relic thief?" Goblin tilted his head, but no one paid him any mind.
Fox didn't hide her curiosity at all. "So, what? Is this information related to the Genesis Treasures again?"
Crescent Moon nodded and proceeded to say something utterly shocking. "The Genesis Treasures no longer exist."
The Genesis Treasures, besides being holy relics, were the keys to reaching the last floor, where the Gate of the Abyss was located.
"What do you mean they don't exist? I don't understand what you're saying at all."
"Is this reliable information? Or is this just what you believe?"
"Hehehe, that's a bit of a shock."
"H-H-How could they disappear?"
As these were all players wishing to return home, it took only a moment for chaos to fill the hall.
But I guessed he had expected a reaction like this. Crescent Moon just pressed on, his tone hollow. "How nice it would be if I were mistaken. But this is the indisputable truth. The Genesis Treasures do not exist anywhere in this world."
"Y-You mean they were destroyed?"
"That's the conclusion we came to, at least."
"B-But those things are indestructible!" Goblin was apparently in quite a panic because the volume of his whining rose significantly.
Shaaaaaa.
A green light emanated from the jewel embedded in the center of the Round Table. That meant that what had just been said was true.
"So... the Genesis Treasures might really have disappeared," Deer murmured in an empty voice. There was silence after that for a while.
The first to open their mouth was Crescent Moon. "So, how about it? Was that interesting?"
That was a very difficult question to answer. I wanted to say it was boring, but how could I say that here? Crescent Moon had had his eyes fixed on me the entire time he was filling us in. He would've caught me flinching as soon as he dropped that bomb.
What should I do?
After a short period of deliberation, I made a decision. It'd be a bad choice to call this news boring. "You have skills." I'd rather admit it. Instead, I should try to mitigate the damage on another front.
"That must mean..." Crescent Moon's breathing grew rough, almost like he thought the Stone of Revival was practically in the palm of his hand.
"To be honest, I am quite impressed," I said simply.
Of course, there was a lot to lose by admitting that. Aside from having to share information on the Stone of Revival with someone else, once he got what he wanted, Crescent Moon would no longer be as eager to bring me information. In addition, it didn't suit the image I'd created of Lion. Clearing the "make the lion laugh" achievement on the first try? I'd lose face.
Smirk.
However, this was not a problem. Right now, I was not Bjorn Yandel but a veteran wearing the mask of Lion.
Okay, this should be enough chit-chat.
As soon as I did one last run-through in my head, I asked Crescent Moon, "How did you find that out?"
What surprised me was not the fact that the Genesis Treasures were gone but something else. To be more precise, it was a pity because this was something I already knew.
"There are only a few people who know that the Genesis Treasures have disappeared."
Picking up on the meaning behind my words, Crescent Moon's eyes widened. I guess he didn't realize that I was cheating him. "...Right, so you knew." He didn't suspect me at all—he just looked resigned, his voice weak as he spoke. What would it take to please me? Even I could feel the thick despair in the air, and it wasn't ideal.
"Pshehe..."
Just look at the awkwardly smiling Clown. This would affect all the members I had baited before now. So, in that spirit, I laughed out loud and said, "The Stone of Revival can be obtained on the ninth floor."
I could provide at least some encouragement, after all. To be honest, I felt a bit sorry for him.
"Oh, that. I know what you're referring to." Crescent Moon jumped in, apparently familiar with the subject. "Bjorn Yandel, right?"
Huh? Why was my name coming up here?
"Yes. That's right. The palace banished an ordinary adventurer to Bifron for something that originally would have ended with a fine."
Oh, that...
"Law enforcement is under their domain, of course, but most clans interpreted this as a warning."
"Public opinion must not be great."
"Yes. There's talk that if clans give the palace any more power, they could be forcibly drafted next time there's need for an army."
My hands stiffened and my lips went dry the moment my name was mentioned, but luckily no one seemed to notice my reaction. No one seemed particularly interested in Bjorn Yandel, either.
Whew, I nearly had a heart attack.
Anyway, after Fox answered Deer's additional questions, the third turn was also over.
"Okay then, who wants to go next? Should we continue clockwise?"
"...Clown, can you go first?"
"Well, if you want." At Crescent Moon's request, Clown readily took the fourth turn. He was the one I was most looking forward to, but it seemed he hadn't been able to find any interesting information this time. "To be honest, I don't think this is something Mr. Lion will be interested in, but I'll give it a try anyway." Unlike when he told us about the binding spell, Clown spoke almost like he'd already written his turn off entirely. "Right before Noark went into lockdown, they sent a few people aboveground. Their goal is to kill one specific adventurer! Shocking, huh?"
"Assassins... Do you know who the target is too?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know that much either, hehehe!" The fourth turn ended with an elusive smile. Clown didn't even ask if I was intrigued. Well, how would he know that out of all the things I'd heard today, this was the most interesting?
An assassin from Noark...
Immediately, a person came to mind: Amelia Rainwales. Could she be one of the assassins sent up? Judging by her abilities, she would be perfect for the role.
Then does that mean the target is Auril Gavis?
The thought did come to mind, but somehow I didn't think that was the case. It hadn't sounded like she was lying when she said that her search for him was her personal business. Anyway, I'd have to think this all through later.
"Now it's my turn." The long-awaited fifth turn began. The main character of this turn was Crescent Moon, who desperately sought the Stone of Revival. He seemed confident, considering he had asked a few minutes ago if my promise was still valid. I wondered what he had prepared. "Does everyone remember what I said before about the traces of the Relic Thief?"
"Of course."
When Crescent Moon carefully started, the other masks all nodded, except for Goblin, who had been absent at that gathering. "Sorry? What relic thief?" Goblin tilted his head, but no one paid him any mind.
Fox didn't hide her curiosity at all. "So, what? Is this information related to the Genesis Treasures again?"
Crescent Moon nodded and proceeded to say something utterly shocking. "The Genesis Treasures no longer exist."
The Genesis Treasures, besides being holy relics, were the keys to reaching the last floor, where the Gate of the Abyss was located.
"What do you mean they don't exist? I don't understand what you're saying at all."
"Is this reliable information? Or is this just what you believe?"
"Hehehe, that's a bit of a shock."
"H-H-How could they disappear?"
As these were all players wishing to return home, it took only a moment for chaos to fill the hall.
But I guessed he had expected a reaction like this. Crescent Moon just pressed on, his tone hollow. "How nice it would be if I were mistaken. But this is the indisputable truth. The Genesis Treasures do not exist anywhere in this world."
"Y-You mean they were destroyed?"
"That's the conclusion we came to, at least."
"B-But those things are indestructible!" Goblin was apparently in quite a panic because the volume of his whining rose significantly.
Shaaaaaa.
A green light emanated from the jewel embedded in the center of the Round Table. That meant that what had just been said was true.
"So... the Genesis Treasures might really have disappeared," Deer murmured in an empty voice. There was silence after that for a while.
The first to open their mouth was Crescent Moon. "So, how about it? Was that interesting?"
That was a very difficult question to answer. I wanted to say it was boring, but how could I say that here? Crescent Moon had had his eyes fixed on me the entire time he was filling us in. He would've caught me flinching as soon as he dropped that bomb.
What should I do?
After a short period of deliberation, I made a decision. It'd be a bad choice to call this news boring. "You have skills." I'd rather admit it. Instead, I should try to mitigate the damage on another front.
"That must mean..." Crescent Moon's breathing grew rough, almost like he thought the Stone of Revival was practically in the palm of his hand.
"To be honest, I am quite impressed," I said simply.
Of course, there was a lot to lose by admitting that. Aside from having to share information on the Stone of Revival with someone else, once he got what he wanted, Crescent Moon would no longer be as eager to bring me information. In addition, it didn't suit the image I'd created of Lion. Clearing the "make the lion laugh" achievement on the first try? I'd lose face.
Smirk.
However, this was not a problem. Right now, I was not Bjorn Yandel but a veteran wearing the mask of Lion.
Okay, this should be enough chit-chat.
As soon as I did one last run-through in my head, I asked Crescent Moon, "How did you find that out?"
What surprised me was not the fact that the Genesis Treasures were gone but something else. To be more precise, it was a pity because this was something I already knew.
"There are only a few people who know that the Genesis Treasures have disappeared."
Picking up on the meaning behind my words, Crescent Moon's eyes widened. I guess he didn't realize that I was cheating him. "...Right, so you knew." He didn't suspect me at all—he just looked resigned, his voice weak as he spoke. What would it take to please me? Even I could feel the thick despair in the air, and it wasn't ideal.
"Pshehe..."
Just look at the awkwardly smiling Clown. This would affect all the members I had baited before now. So, in that spirit, I laughed out loud and said, "The Stone of Revival can be obtained on the ninth floor."
I could provide at least some encouragement, after all. To be honest, I felt a bit sorry for him.