Chapter 157

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Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 157

Chapter Title: Tensions at the Scales

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Snowman was utterly flustered by the sight of Mael cheerfully herding the monster Baku toward the tower.

'Mael's getting involved in this adventure? There's no connection whatsoever to the Magic Tower's affairs, is there?'

Thud thud thud...

Determined to get off the carriage and resolve this curiosity as quickly as possible, Snowman simply waited for it to reach the tower.

"Halt. Everyone, stop right there."

Thankfully, the carriage arrived at the tower's entrance without much delay.

"Ugh... The mana here feels so heavy, Master."

"That's to be expected. The Scales specialize in this kind of magic more than anywhere else."

The viewers had learned something from Snowman's experience at the Yog'natun volcano.

A moment later, as Snowman stepped down from the carriage, Mael approached.

"I hope you've been well?"

"Same as always for me... But what brings you to the Scales?"

Mael smiled as he replied.

"Probably the same reason as you, Snowman."

Praenn furrowed his brow.

"Hm? I didn't hear anything about a troll coming."

Mael answered the question earnestly.

"Then have you heard that this incident is connected to the Relic Society?"

"I have. Ah, so that's it. You're with the Relic Society?"

"Yes, that's right."

Praenn finally nodded in understanding.

"I knew the Relic Society folks were eccentrics, but hiding a real treasure like this... Ah, that's a compliment. Not sarcasm."

"In that case, I'll take it as praise and offer my thanks, human."

A troll adapted to human society was a first even in Praenn's long life as a mage.

He eyed Mael with keen interest.

"So how'd you meet that guy?"

"I owe him a great debt from before. He helped me come out into the world."

"Oho... Sounds intriguing. Care to share with this old timer when you have time?"

"It's not a grand tale, so of course. Though I doubt we'll have the time."

"Ah, right."

Purrr...

The Baku that Mael had ridden snorted, asserting its presence.

Someone approached Baku.

"Whoa... Easy... Easy, Baku... Good boy. Mael! I said let's go together, what if you dash off excited like that?"

"My apologies. I got ahead of myself in the joy of reuniting with my benefactor after so long."

"Hm? Oh my, isn't this Praenn?"

"Yopimba, isn't it? You're the one who came with this troll?"

The man standing beside Mael was a dwarf.

He was incredibly short, but his body was thick and sturdy like a log.

"Kahahaha! How could the Relic Society sit idle when the exalted Scales need help? I was itching to come even earlier... The rest of the crew is arriving right behind me now."

"With you stepping up personally, we're in good hands... But just you for the meeting?"

"No way, our Mael's joining too."

"Our Mael? Heh heh..."

The dwarf Yopimba grinned and glanced at Snowman as he asked.

"Hm? The folks with you look familiar, but this one's new."

"That's me."

"...Pardon?"

"And he says he's acquainted with the troll you brought?"

Yopimba turned to Mael.

"...The benefactor you mentioned is him?"

"Yes, Yopimba."

Yopimba stepped close to Snowman, peering up at his face and scrutinizing him.

"Hmm..."

"......"

After a brief inspection, he extended his hand.

"A friend of Mael's is a friend of the Relic Society. In other words, a friend of Yopimba! Nice to meet ya!"

"Likewise. Snowman."

"The meeting's cutting it close, so let's chat deep after it's done! Praenn! Let's head in, everyone's waiting."

"Mm."

The guards, already alerted to Praenn's arrival, greeted the group courteously.

"We welcome your visit. And... you've returned at a crucial time, Praenn."

"Can we enter?"

"Of course, Guardian of Truth."

Ziiiiiing...

Stepping onto the prepared magic circle, the group was teleported somewhere.

The moment they arrived, gasps echoed around them.

"P-Praenn!"

"He's back! He's really back!"

"Praenn! You've returned!"

The mages in Scales robes couldn't hide their shock at Praenn. Some even comically dropped what they were holding in surprise.

"......"

Praenn hadn't touched alcohol on the way here.

With his beard overgrown, he strode forward unperturbed by the mages staring blankly at him.

"W-Wait! Praenn!"

"Hm? You? Long time no see."

A female mage rushed up to Praenn.

Panting heavily, she still handed over what she'd brought with utmost care.

"Still... I thought you'd want the proper robes..."

It was a garment with holy seat insignia.

Crisp and well-maintained, clearly handled with care.

"This is... too much fuss, ha... haha..."

Praenn turned to the group.

"Wait a moment, I'll change quickly."

"Sure."

A short while later, Praenn returned, transformed into a neat and proper attire.

"Thanks for waiting. Time's running out, so let's head in."

Snowman quietly stood by his side, etching the Magic Tower's sights into his memory.

'So this is the Magic Tower...'

It was the pinnacle of intellect rooted in Pandea.

Followers of wisdom with nationwide scale and influence.

True to its reputation, the Scales—one of the twelve towers—boasted majestic grandeur.

Admiring its splendor, the group pressed on.

"We're entering."

The guiding mage flung open the doors to the grand hall where the meeting was held.

"Representing Aquarius mages: Blaine and Prin. From the Holy Nation Baranoa's Nevenia Diocese: Bishop Chameli. From the Relic Society: Yopimba and Mael. And finally... Adventurer Snowman and the Scales' Saint Praenn, entering."

The moment Snowman stepped in, he felt prickling stares.

'...No pushovers here.'

Two elderly men about Praenn's age, and mages dispatched from other towers, it seemed.

And then.

"Huh? A troll? No, is that a troll?"

"And what's this, an adventurer? Not a Transmigrator, surely?"

A man in lion-emblazoned leather armor spoke up.

'Mercenary band.'

Snowman discerned from the murmurs that renowned mercenary leaders were present.

Contrary to the stereotype of mages being insular, the Scales had gathered folks from all walks.

'Impressive scale.'

The Scales' power in assembling such luminaries finally sank in.

"Praenn... You've returned."

"......"

"You've made a big decision. Sit. I don't want to trouble an old friend after so long."

Praenn gave a wry smile.

"...Thanks."

Everyone took their seats.

Aquarius mages sat not at the long table but in observer spots.

'It's someone else's problem.'

Clearly, a deliberate distance—suitable for both the helped Scales and the helping towers.

Praenn sat in the honored upper seat prepared for him, with Chameli beside.

Seats were set for the Relic Society too, but they stood, as if having something to explain.

Everything could start once Snowman sat, but oddly, his chair was separated from the group.

'There it is.'

His spot was next to the lion-emblem man who'd grumbled about Mael being a troll and Snowman a Transmigrator.

Step. Step.

Snowman walked over to take his seat.

But the lion-emblem man thwarted it.

Scraaape...

He kicked the chair aside.

"......"

The atmosphere turned icy.

The man spoke.

"Does a Transmigrator have what it takes to sit here?"

"Heh... Heh heh..."

"Isn't spectating your specialty? Huh? Why show up here? Stick to your alley boss games, why..."

"Enough! He's an honored guest of the Scales."

"Ha... Is he? Who invited this opportunist?"

"...Praenn."

"Hmph... In that case."

The lion-emblem man neither apologized for his rudeness nor looked away, just stared blankly.

Then.

Whish-!

Snowman's Shadow Hand shot out, retrieving the fallen chair.

Thud.

"Heh... Interesting."

Snowman decided to ignore the man.

They were gathered as allies, after all—no need for him to be the center of trouble.

One of the Saints, an elder, spoke.

"Forgive him. The Iron Lion Mercenary leader's had bad run-ins with Transmigrators."

Snowman noted the info and sat without changing expression.

Clap-!

Yopimba clapped.

"Ahem... Everyone's here, so let's begin."

But contrary to Yopimba's hope, the meeting didn't start smoothly.

Before he finished, another mercenary leader spoke.

"Hey, dwarf."

"Hm?"

"That monster standing behind you—not scared?"

"......"

The man clearly meant Mael as a monster.

Yopimba bristled.

"What'd you call my friend?"

"Friend? Oh, that one's from Relic Society? Still, eccentrics are eccentrics. Bringing a troll here. Since when were trolls our friends?"

Another Saint intervened.

"Enough! We're not here for bickering!"

"......"

"Leave if you're stirring trouble. Contract's off."

Finally, quiet fell.

Yopimba ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠calmed and proceeded.

His opening led to info exchanges, then the real meeting began.

"Next, the site where Bornuil ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠vanished—his last destination. Mael."

"Yes."

Mystical sand flowed from Mael's sleeve.

Shhh...

The sand gathered into a shape.

'Ruins entrance.'

Yopimba said.

"Location: Alkatron. Found west of Adelin, a bit inland from the monster border zone. Eh... It's been under excavation recently, so most know it."

"But why's Relic Society running this meeting?"

"Simple. We handled Alkatron's excavation."

"Oho... So you know it well?"

"Well... We know we don't know much."

"........."

The youngest mercenary leader asked.

"Fairies aside, how'd you handle the troll tribes? Black Thunder aren't that aggressive, but deep excavation should've caused issues."

"Ah, good question. We circled wide around the border to avoid clashes. Cost a ton of time, though. Had to punch through badlands instead of trolls."

"Those badlands are monster-infested too, right?"

"Better than shoving our heads in troll mouths."

Pfft...

"What's with the troll next to you?"

"He's my friend."

"What about Black Thunder?"

"Haven't met 'em. Not friends yet."

"Pretty open-minded dwarf. Gotta learn from that."

"Anyway, enough chit-chat... Alkatron excavation halted recently."

All nodded at Yopimba's words.

"We know it stopped. But why?"

"An accident. Most excavators died."

"...What? Wasn't the crew big?"

"Yeah. Five teams total. Two off-duty fine, but two working vanished. Last team barely rescued, but died soon after from illness."

"Cause?"

"Dunno."

"Contagion? Respiratory?"

Yopimba shook his head.

"Nah, neither. Seemed like some mental illness... But not certain."

"Mental illness... Creepy."

"That's why Black Pilgrims are helping, right? Am I correct?"

Chameli replied.

"Yes, the Black Pilgrims will assist wholeheartedly to resolve this."

"The Scales will repay such generosity."

One Saint said.

But then, the Iron Lion leader couldn't hold back his provocation.

"Just heard—you made a big splash in Illia, huh?"

"......"

"Famous among Nevenia's Transmigrators, right?"

"Not sure."

"Don't play dumb. That's why you're here? Survived the Labyrinth of Penance too? True?"

"True."

Snowman gave a straight answer, but the man kept prodding.

"Alkatron's got mental illness going around? Same as the Labyrinth? So you know how to beat it. What'd you learn surviving the maze?"

His smirking was blatant mockery.

Snowman replied calmly.

"Don't get dragged into pointless provocations. And don't bother talking to idiots."

This stoked the Iron Lion leader's rage. He shot up.

"...What'd you say?"

Scraaape...

All eyes turned.

An awkward fart sound had leaked from somewhere.

"Oh my..."

"Oops..."

The Iron Lion leader snapped.

"N-Not me! Anyway... Illia's idiots hype you up... Black Knight or whatever... Ridiculous rumors, right? You know your plac—"

"Damn it! Who was that!"

After a brief silence, the regained-composure man growled a warning.

"Prank me again and you're dead. And you—think you belong here? Everyone agrees, right? A sketchy Transmigrator in the rescue team for the Scales? What qualifies yo—"

Bang!

Someone slammed the table hard.

All heads turned.

Praenn.

"Qualifications... Yes, he has them."

"...What do you mean?"

"He's my disciple."

"......"

Everyone's eyes widened.

Even Snowman's.

It was common knowledge here that Praenn had never taken a disciple.

Silence lingered long.

Until a small question slipped out.

"Wh-when did..."

Praenn curled his lips slyly.

"Starting now."

"......"

All sat in stunned silence.

Except for someone in Snowman's lantern.