Chapter 311: Round Table (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 311: Round Table (5)
"Regal Vagos...?"
"I've met him once before. He was an adventurer with a very useful form of Dragon Speech."
"An adventurer who betrayed his people... this piques my interest."
After I was done speaking, Kagureas and the captain of Orcules had a brief exchange. Even those short comments were significant. Piqued his interest? I couldn't describe the discomfort I felt at hearing those words come out of the captain of Orcules's mouth. However, I took my eyes off them and directed my gaze somewhere else.
The woman in the fancy dress, Ravi, who had been looking at me with belligerence, now stared at me with her jaw slightly dropped. Her eyes were filled with shock. "H-How could you possibly...?"
Since she was even stuttering, it seemed my announcement had been shocking enough to pull the rug out from under her. But I had no room for sympathy. This was a cold-hearted, dog-eat-dog world, after all. If you missed an opportunity to strike, you couldn't become the king of the jungle.
"N-No way. The number of people who know that information is still less than ten..."
At the sight of Ravi's deep confusion, I chuckled. "You're young," I said, treating her like a naïve child who'd only ever seen the world's good side. Her actual age would be much higher than mine, but that wasn't my business. She didn't know a thing about me, anyway.
Ravi's reaction was instantaneous. Her lips clamped shut. It seemed being treated like a child pissed her off, as her face turned red and her eyes drilled holes into my captain. There was one question carved into those eyes, though, and Ravi blurted it out. "Who... who are you?"
Name, identity, whatever it was—it was as if anything was fine with her as long as she learned even a little bit about me. She had asked a question that was all too vague. The other members watched the situation unfold with interest, not interrupting our conversation. Well, I was sure no one wanted to step forward to save face. They were just as curious about who I was as Ravi. The question she just asked probably scratched an itch for all of them.
Okay, the mood is just right.
My answer to her question was already decided. Although it may have felt a bit cliché, all cliché meant was that this had worked well so far. "Well," I said unhurriedly, "that's nothing I can't answer."
At that, I could see the level of focus in the room rise sharply. Really? Is he really going to tell us something? Their expressions were filled with anticipation.
I studied each of those faces, relishing in them, and then continued. "For those who are worth it."
"Ha..." When my words rang through the Round Table, Orcules's captain released a scoff.
"You mean we have to prove ourselves to hear your name?" muscular, middle-aged Kagureas asked coolly. "We have to show you whether or not we are qualified to be associated with you?"
I didn't keep quiet this time. "Thankfully, you understood correctly." Instead, I agreed with him. This was the age of self-PR, after all. Why bother being humble? Nothing good ever came out of that.
"...Where did someone like this guy come from?" Fallen Scholar burst into laughter at my arrogant words. Come to think of it, this was the first time I'd ever seen him smile. Most of the time, he was just sipping on tea disinterestedly.
This definitely drew aggro.
I was smiling to myself behind my mask, satisfied with my handiwork, when I suddenly felt eyes on me. They belonged to Auril Gavis.
Jeez, so uncomfortable.
He was staring at me blankly, his gaze once again containing the same question: Who the hell does this bastard think he is?
***
Despite the slight hiccup, the meeting continued with Auril as the moderator.
"Three months ago, an envoy from the king visited the castellan of Noark's castle. Unfortunately, this matter was handled with the utmost secrecy, so it is unknown what they discussed." The last person to speak this round, the captain of Orcules, revealed this information and received a green light.
"Hmm! Interesting. I think this is the first time the castle has interacted directly with the palace."
"Perhaps that's why..."
Unlike Fallen Scholar, who was muttering to himself like he found this illuminating, this was not a very significant piece of information to me. What use did I have for politics from twenty years ago? There was only one thing I learned from this information—not only did the palace know about Noark at this point, but everyone who knew anything knew about the existence of the underground city.
"Then up next is..." After round one came to an end, Auril glanced at me. Then he pursed his lips in disappointment. "I guess we'll have to go around again without this fellow this time. Is there anyone who would like to go first?"
The person to raise their hand was Kagureas. "I will go first."
"Ah, will you?"
"I think going first would put me more at ease. I also have something I'd like to share."
"Go ahead."
The muscular man revealed his information, marking the start of the second round. "Um... Another one of the Genesis Treasures has been obtained."
For something said while scratching his cheek, the information was far too shocking. My mind went blank for a moment. That was because twenty years from now, these items disappeared without a trace. But now he was saying another had been obtained?
Then that means he already had more than one.
I almost screamed, but I held it in. I wasn't the only one who was shocked.
"What? Is that true?!" Fallen Scholar jumped up from his seat.
Ravi was also worked up. "F-From which tribe?"
"I cannot tell you that."
"Then at least tell me how it was obtained...?"
"As for the how... I can only say it was luck."
"How can you get an item like that out of luck?"
"Ah, don't be like that, everyone. To be more precise, it's more like I got the right to borrow it once in the future."
Wow, it turned out this man was no ordinary guy. It was then that I realized I had entered the world of veterans. Obtaining one Genesis Treasure was doable in the game. All you had to do was clear the main character's tribal storyline and become a chieftain. The real trouble started when you got to the second Genesis Treasure. You had to either clear the storyline of another tribe and obtain the right to use it or turn one of your comrades into a chieftain.
That means it really is possible to unlock it.
The moment that thought occurred to me, I glanced at Auril. His expression remained unchanged. Put simply, he already knew about this turn of events. Why did this old man call these kids failures?
As I was pondering this, Kagureas continued, "Anyway, there is only one reason I'm revealing this here. As Master has said, we have spent much time together, yet never spoken openly. But that needs to change. I have two now. Since the ancient Primordial Dragon is dead, Ms. Ravi should be able to bring us another as long as she works at it."
Jeez, so uncomfortable.
He was staring at me blankly, his gaze once again containing the same question: Who the hell does this bastard think he is?
***
Despite the slight hiccup, the meeting continued with Auril as the moderator.
"Three months ago, an envoy from the king visited the castellan of Noark's castle. Unfortunately, this matter was handled with the utmost secrecy, so it is unknown what they discussed." The last person to speak this round, the captain of Orcules, revealed this information and received a green light.
"Hmm! Interesting. I think this is the first time the castle has interacted directly with the palace."
"Perhaps that's why..."
Unlike Fallen Scholar, who was muttering to himself like he found this illuminating, this was not a very significant piece of information to me. What use did I have for politics from twenty years ago? There was only one thing I learned from this information—not only did the palace know about Noark at this point, but everyone who knew anything knew about the existence of the underground city.
"Then up next is..." After round one came to an end, Auril glanced at me. Then he pursed his lips in disappointment. "I guess we'll have to go around again without this fellow this time. Is there anyone who would like to go first?"
The person to raise their hand was Kagureas. "I will go first."
"Ah, will you?"
"I think going first would put me more at ease. I also have something I'd like to share."
"Go ahead."
The muscular man revealed his information, marking the start of the second round. "Um... Another one of the Genesis Treasures has been obtained."
For something said while scratching his cheek, the information was far too shocking. My mind went blank for a moment. That was because twenty years from now, these items disappeared without a trace. But now he was saying another had been obtained?
Then that means he already had more than one.
I almost screamed, but I held it in. I wasn't the only one who was shocked.
"What? Is that true?!" Fallen Scholar jumped up from his seat.
Ravi was also worked up. "F-From which tribe?"
"I cannot tell you that."
"Then at least tell me how it was obtained...?"
"As for the how... I can only say it was luck."
"How can you get an item like that out of luck?"
"Ah, don't be like that, everyone. To be more precise, it's more like I got the right to borrow it once in the future."
Wow, it turned out this man was no ordinary guy. It was then that I realized I had entered the world of veterans. Obtaining one Genesis Treasure was doable in the game. All you had to do was clear the main character's tribal storyline and become a chieftain. The real trouble started when you got to the second Genesis Treasure. You had to either clear the storyline of another tribe and obtain the right to use it or turn one of your comrades into a chieftain.
That means it really is possible to unlock it.
The moment that thought occurred to me, I glanced at Auril. His expression remained unchanged. Put simply, he already knew about this turn of events. Why did this old man call these kids failures?
As I was pondering this, Kagureas continued, "Anyway, there is only one reason I'm revealing this here. As Master has said, we have spent much time together, yet never spoken openly. But that needs to change. I have two now. Since the ancient Primordial Dragon is dead, Ms. Ravi should be able to bring us another as long as she works at it."
"Why are you saying that at a time like this?" Ravi scolded Kagureas sharply, shooting me a glance to see how I would react. But I'd already heard everything I needed to hear.
So, she is from the dragon tribe.
"Ah, my mistake. That was thoughtless of me." Kagureas apologized like a true man and then wrapped up what he wanted to say. "Now there are three left. And if we really work together, I believe it's doable... What do you all think?" He seemed to be asking everyone, but Kagureas's eyes were fixed on the captain of Orcules.
Ah, come to think of it, those two were fighting about this last time.
In a way, this could be seen as a peace offering. So how would the captain respond?
His answer was silence. Kagureas continued, trying to persuade him. "I know you have a grudge against the king. But think rationally. That relationship was built in this world, anyway. If you think of the family you left behind in the real world—"
"Stop." The captain of Orcules cut him off, voice cold. As if Kagureas had pulled a personal trigger, he suddenly exuded vicious, murderous intent.
At this, the smile disappeared from Kagureas's face as well. "As expected, you were trash all along. I thought your goals, at least, would be aligned with ours. You say the palace should be the target of all of our suspicions? That if we wish to return, we must help you? I feel like a fool for even getting my hopes up at your words."
"Kagureas, please stop..."
"You heard it too, Ms. Ravi. This man has no desire to return."
"That can't be true. Otherwise, why would he show his face here every month?"
"Isn't that obvious? Because if he makes good use of us, we can be helpful in his mission of killing the king. He probably only thinks of us as consumables he can use up before discarding. Am I wrong?"
At Kagureas's belligerent demand, the captain of Orcules responded in the same acidic tone. "Aren't you also hiding your true intentions?"
"What?"
"Lord Ruingenes said he believes the dimensional spell can be completed, but in truth, you were just going around collecting Genesis Treasures."
"...What's the problem with that? It's obviously better to have more than one plan in place."
"However, there has to be another reason why you opposed me when I tried to persuade Lord Ruingenes to help me. If your goal is to collect all the Genesis Treasures, you'll inevitably come into conflict with the palace. Yet you keep interfering with my work."
"Ah, you mean that?" Kagureas spoke confidently like he had nothing at all to hide. "I have good instincts. And I had a strong gut feeling that you are a charlatan and a piece of trash."
The captain of Orcules no longer opened his mouth. He just met Kagureas's eyes and exuded an even thicker murderous intent. At this, I almost let out an exclamation of admiration.
His murderous intent is on another level.
You couldn't compare the members of the Round Table twenty years from now to these people. Even though the murderous intent wasn't even aimed at me, my skin burned and my breathing stuttered.
"Haha, it seems everyone's fired up." Auril, who had only been watching up to this point, stepped in and said something unexpected. "We'd better call it a day. Everyone go rest and we'll meet again next time."
...What? Wait, we're ending it here? We haven't even properly gotten started yet. If you're going to end it, at least finish this round. I manipulated the last round for nothing, then.
"Wait—" Just as I was about to say something, my vision flickered like the sputtering of a light bulb.
Flash!
When I opened my eyes again, I saw Amelia's familiar face. "...You're back already?"
Ha, he really kicked me out.
"How long has it been?"
"About three seconds since you closed your eyes."
Three seconds, huh? It was natural that Amelia was giving me a strange look. To her, it had only been a moment. It probably didn't even feel real to her.
I was thirsty, but when I reached for the cup on the nightstand, Amelia handed it to me instead. "Here."
What the...?
"Ah, oh... thanks." When I thanked her, not able to hide my bashfulness, Amelia averted her eyes awkwardly.
"So, what happened inside this time?"
"Oh, that..."
Man, where do I start?
Too much had happened to summarize what I'd been through in a few short sentences, so I just told her everything from the beginning. I figured she might be able to notice anything I might have missed.
"Wait, Auril Gavis apologized? For such an unreasonable demand?"
"Yes?"
"...Nothing, keep going."
The story, which started with the battle of wits between me and Auril, soon reached the Round Table. The increasingly peculiar look in Amelia's eyes became clearer and clearer. It was a look I'd seen several times at the Round Table.
"You... what did you used to do in your original world?"
"Why are you saying that at a time like this?" Ravi scolded Kagureas sharply, shooting me a glance to see how I would react. But I'd already heard everything I needed to hear.
So, she is from the dragon tribe.
"Ah, my mistake. That was thoughtless of me." Kagureas apologized like a true man and then wrapped up what he wanted to say. "Now there are three left. And if we really work together, I believe it's doable... What do you all think?" He seemed to be asking everyone, but Kagureas's eyes were fixed on the captain of Orcules.
Ah, come to think of it, those two were fighting about this last time.
In a way, this could be seen as a peace offering. So how would the captain respond?
His answer was silence. Kagureas continued, trying to persuade him. "I know you have a grudge against the king. But think rationally. That relationship was built in this world, anyway. If you think of the family you left behind in the real world—"
"Stop." The captain of Orcules cut him off, voice cold. As if Kagureas had pulled a personal trigger, he suddenly exuded vicious, murderous intent.
At this, the smile disappeared from Kagureas's face as well. "As expected, you were trash all along. I thought your goals, at least, would be aligned with ours. You say the palace should be the target of all of our suspicions? That if we wish to return, we must help you? I feel like a fool for even getting my hopes up at your words."
"Kagureas, please stop..."
"You heard it too, Ms. Ravi. This man has no desire to return."
"That can't be true. Otherwise, why would he show his face here every month?"
"Isn't that obvious? Because if he makes good use of us, we can be helpful in his mission of killing the king. He probably only thinks of us as consumables he can use up before discarding. Am I wrong?"
At Kagureas's belligerent demand, the captain of Orcules responded in the same acidic tone. "Aren't you also hiding your true intentions?"
"What?"
"Lord Ruingenes said he believes the dimensional spell can be completed, but in truth, you were just going around collecting Genesis Treasures."
"...What's the problem with that? It's obviously better to have more than one plan in place."
"However, there has to be another reason why you opposed me when I tried to persuade Lord Ruingenes to help me. If your goal is to collect all the Genesis Treasures, you'll inevitably come into conflict with the palace. Yet you keep interfering with my work."
"Ah, you mean that?" Kagureas spoke confidently like he had nothing at all to hide. "I have good instincts. And I had a strong gut feeling that you are a charlatan and a piece of trash."
The captain of Orcules no longer opened his mouth. He just met Kagureas's eyes and exuded an even thicker murderous intent. At this, I almost let out an exclamation of admiration.
His murderous intent is on another level.
You couldn't compare the members of the Round Table twenty years from now to these people. Even though the murderous intent wasn't even aimed at me, my skin burned and my breathing stuttered.
"Haha, it seems everyone's fired up." Auril, who had only been watching up to this point, stepped in and said something unexpected. "We'd better call it a day. Everyone go rest and we'll meet again next time."
...What? Wait, we're ending it here? We haven't even properly gotten started yet. If you're going to end it, at least finish this round. I manipulated the last round for nothing, then.
"Wait—" Just as I was about to say something, my vision flickered like the sputtering of a light bulb.
Flash!
When I opened my eyes again, I saw Amelia's familiar face. "...You're back already?"
Ha, he really kicked me out.
"How long has it been?"
"About three seconds since you closed your eyes."
Three seconds, huh? It was natural that Amelia was giving me a strange look. To her, it had only been a moment. It probably didn't even feel real to her.
I was thirsty, but when I reached for the cup on the nightstand, Amelia handed it to me instead. "Here."
What the...?
"Ah, oh... thanks." When I thanked her, not able to hide my bashfulness, Amelia averted her eyes awkwardly.
"So, what happened inside this time?"
"Oh, that..."
Man, where do I start?
Too much had happened to summarize what I'd been through in a few short sentences, so I just told her everything from the beginning. I figured she might be able to notice anything I might have missed.
"Wait, Auril Gavis apologized? For such an unreasonable demand?"
"Yes?"
"...Nothing, keep going."
The story, which started with the battle of wits between me and Auril, soon reached the Round Table. The increasingly peculiar look in Amelia's eyes became clearer and clearer. It was a look I'd seen several times at the Round Table.
"You... what did you used to do in your original world?"