An Unexpected Visit (2)
The Ruins Merchant Group.
They hadn't grown into an organization that dominated a major city for nothing.
Their information network stretched across the continent like a spiderweb.
And Isaac Berylof, standing right in front of me, was a key cog in that tightly woven web.
I knew they would contact me like this eventually.
No.
To be precise, it would be more accurate to say I had steered them toward it.
Tossing the Earth Dragon's head right into the middle of a bustling adventurers' guild in the first place had been a calculated move to draw their attention.
I wanted to spark wild rumors among the adventurers, rumors that would eventually reach Karayan's ears.
Of course, Karayan had no choice but to bite.
After all, how many dark-blue-haired swordsmen capable of slaying an Earth Dragon could there possibly be?
Hearing the rumors, I would be the very first person she'd think of.
She was someone who lost her mind over anything regarding her savior.
And since she had an informant planted within the magic academy—the very institution that had commissioned the Earth Dragon subjugation—she would seize this opportunity to make contact.
Yes.
That was the extent of my deduction, and everything had aligned perfectly.
"What is your business?"
Thanks to that, I remained unfazed even when Isaac Berylof dramatically revealed his true identity.
Perhaps he hadn't expected such a calm reaction, as he tilted his head with a slightly flustered expression.
"Oh? You aren't surprised at all. I was expecting a slightly more dramatic reaction..."
Haha.
Try playing Lost Elder about two hundred times, Isaac.
You'll become quite detached from the world.
Damn it. Why were there so many backstabbers in this game?
While I was lost in these idle thoughts, Isaac shrugged and continued.
"There is no grand purpose. Our master simply asked me to check on your well-being while I was on my way to deliver the remaining payment for the Earth Dragon subjugation."
"..."
"Ah, and she also confirmed that the Frost Sunset was indeed a prototype. She said she owes you a great debt and asked me to convey that she will surely repay this favor in the future."
Oh.
So she finally realized the Frost Sunset wasn't the real deal.
Honestly, this was something that would have come to light eventually even without my intervention...
But having the Ruins Merchant Group owe me a favor was definitely a win.
"First, take this. The remaining balance."
Clink.
Isaac pulled out a heavy pouch of coins and set it on the table.
Before being an informant for the Ruins Merchant Group, he was acting as an assistant at the Wintersield Magic Academy, delivering the reward for the Earth Dragon's subjugation.
Watching me take the pouch, Isaac asked a question.
"By the way, is 'Gaon' a pseudonym as well? Our master is incredibly curious about your real name."
I pondered for a moment before replying.
"I will be using that name for the time being."
Rather than hiding my identity completely, it seemed better to maintain a connection with Karayan this way.
Especially now that my existence had been somewhat exposed.
I had been cautious about getting too deeply entangled with the Ruins Merchant Group from the start, fearing it might disrupt my overall plans, but the situation had changed.
With Adelia by my side, I now had a connection to Midtemple. There was no longer any reason to completely block Karayan's advances.
Hearing my answer, Isaac gave a brief nod.
"Understood. I will convey that to our master."
With those words, Isaac put on his affable smile once again.
He had completely switched his persona from an informant of the Ruins Merchant Group back to an assistant of Wintersield.
"Ah, also, the Magic Academy wishes to invite you, Mr. Gaon. We are currently conducting research on cultivating the local specialties of Labyrinth Village without the Earth Dragon, and we need your assistance for the final stage."
The Wintersield Magic Academy conducted a surprising amount of practical research.
Things like crop cultivation methods to solve food shortages in major cities, or ways to reclaim wastelands.
They didn't just focus on high-level magical research; they also strove to solve problems directly linked to the lives of ordinary people.
Of course, most of these practical studies were initiated to secure funding, but regardless of their ulterior motives, they did yield decent results.
"If you don't have any urgent matters, could you accompany me right now?"
"I have something to take care of first."
I shook my head at Isaac's invitation.
"So, once my business is concluded, I will make my way to Wintersield."
I would have to visit the Wintersield Magic Academy eventually, but for now, handling the Midtemple affair was my priority.
I needed to secure the Council's approval first to smoothly proceed with my next steps.
Hearing my response, Isaac nodded and politely stepped back.
"Understood. Then I shall wait for you at the Wintersield Magic Academy—"
"Isaac Berylof."
Freeze.
I called his name in a cold, level voice.
Isaac, who was about to stand up, froze and stared at me, as if asking if I had other business with him.
After a brief pause, I continued.
"When I arrive in Wintersield, will you be the one greeting me?"
"Ah, yes, of course. I believe I will be in charge of this matter..."
"Good."
I nodded and went on.
"I wish to speak with the Blood-Red Empress."
"...!"
"Arrange a meeting before I arrive at Wintersield."
Flinch.
In an instant, Isaac's complexion darkened dramatically.
He looked so flustered that it was hard to believe he was the same sly, easygoing guy from our first meeting.
"How do you know about..."
Wary hostility began to seep into Isaac's voice.
His expression made it clear that this was completely outside his calculations.
But, Isaac.
I chuckled inwardly.
I know everything.
Isaac Berylof.
As I mentioned earlier, he appears as an assistant at the Wintersield Magic Academy.
It was only after my twentieth playthrough that I discovered he was also an informant for the Ruins Merchant Group.
However...
...even that truth shifted once I passed the mid-game playthroughs.
Indeed.
Isaac Berylof was a member of a heretical cult, merely pretending to be an informant for the Ruins Merchant Group while pretending to be an assistant at the Wintersield Magic Academy.
Dizzying, isn't it?
That's fine.
I felt the same way at first.
When I finally uncovered this new faction dynamic after my hundredth playthrough, my mind went blank, as if I'd been hit with a hammer.
The shiver that ran down my spine when I realized how much I still didn't know—just when I thought I had mastered the game—was still vivid in my memory.
Seriously, what a trash game.
Finishing my train of thought, I pressed Isaac for an answer.
"You already know that I killed the Heavenly Dragon Bird."
"..."
"Arrange a meeting with the Empress. I will help your society achieve what it truly desires."
To ensure my plans proceeded smoothly, I needed to establish a good relationship with them.
Of course, I fully intended to squeeze a hefty price out of them in exchange for my help.
"What do you mean by..."
Isaac's lips trembled in sheer shock.
"I have no desire for pointless arguments. The very fact that I know of the Empress is proof enough that I can be of use to you."
"...I will arrange a meeting with Her Majesty as soon as possible."
He nodded reluctantly.
Isaac gave a hesitant nod.
Having secured his confirmation, I maintained a stern, expressionless face.
It was a success.
The complex, three-tiered plan I had designed was falling into place without a single error.
Slaying the Earth Dragon to inflate my rumors, prompting Karayan's informant embedded in the magic academy to move, and thereby establishing contact with the secret society.
With this, I had successfully established contact with all the 'major factions' in the early game.
To think I'd be visiting the Shadow Society this early in the game.
This was an unprecedented achievement, one I had never managed to pull off even once across hundreds of playthroughs.
"Sir Gaon."
A few days later, Sikan Bauer visited my room at the inn.
"The Midtemple investigation team has arrived."
I looked out the window of the inn. Five or six figures clad in grey robes were pacing the front courtyard.
Their average level was in the late 70s.
They were experts who would be recognized anywhere on the continent.
However, their true value only shone when they fought as a group.
The investigators of Midtemple boasted flawless coordination forged through rigorous training. Moving as a single entity, they exerted power far greater than the sum of their individual levels.
The purpose of these investigators coming all the way to Vertas was simple.
To escort me to the Holy City of Midtemple.
"A sacred trial will be held at Midtemple."
As we walked down to the first floor of the inn, Sikan Bauer began to explain what lay ahead for me.
"First is the matter regarding the Heavenly Dragon Bird. The Council will thoroughly investigate the reasons and circumstances behind the slaying of the Divine Beast."
"And after that?"
"Then, they will verify whether you are truly a Sword Master. I apologize, but I know nothing about that part, so I cannot give you any details."
Sikan Bauer was merely dispatched to investigate the Heavenly Dragon Bird incident.
The mission Midtemple had given him was strictly limited to uncovering the truth behind the Divine Beast's death.
It was only natural that he knew nothing of the inner workings of the 'verification.'
At the end of the day, Sikan Bauer was just a sword wielded by the Holy Families.
...Still, the atmosphere is incredibly tense.
A heavy silence hung over the front courtyard as we stepped outside.
The grey-robed investigators stared at me, never letting their guard down. The air itself seemed to grow heavy under the pressure of their presence.
Sikan Bauer stepped forward to break the tension.
"There is no need to worry. They are all my direct subordinates, so we will escort you comfortably to Midtemple."
I let out a soft chuckle.
"Do I look worried to you?"
"No, not at all, but..."
Sikan Bauer trailed off, glancing at my expression before adding cautiously,
"...The investigators are one thing, but the Council of Midtemple is by no means an easy opponent. Especially during a sacred trial."
I listened in silence. I knew all too well that the Council was no pushover.
"They will prepare all kinds of trials and tribulations to test you. Since it is a place to judge your qualifications as a Sword Master, the difficulty will be beyond imagination."
I knew this as well. To be recognized as a Sword Master, one had to endure a brutal process.
"And?"
But I remained completely unfazed.
"Do you think I won't be able to overcome them?"
Pause.
Sikan Bauer paused.
He was likely recalling the events of the past few days, things that should have been close to impossible.
Entering Mary Rose's dungeon, which had been abandoned for years; killing Camilo von Taribas; and ending the life of the newly born undead.
After a brief moment of recollection, Sikan Bauer let out a soft laugh.
"...My apologies. I asked a foolish question."
Indeed.
There was nothing to worry about.
I already knew every single thing the Council of Midtemple would prepare to test me.
The trials they set up would only serve as a stepping stone for my next leap forward.
"Let's move."
"Yes, sir."
I walked toward the grey-robed investigators.
"Ahhh, so boring..."
A figure in a black robe, wearing a skull helmet, let out a deep sigh.
The Death Knight, having stopped playing the violin, stared blankly out the window.
His fingertips absentmindedly toyed with the hilt of his Zweihander.
The scabbard made of black bone housed a blood-red blade that cried out from time to time. It was a bizarre, artistic sword that mirrored its master's temperament.
"...Just when is that friend of mine going to arrive?"