Chapter 206: I’m Just Here to Pick a Fight
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 206: I’m Just Here to Pick a Fight
What was it I said last time?
That unlike Akito, I wouldn't be kind or nice?
"Yeon-woo, it’s been a long time."
I put on a sour expression as I look at Akito, who is beaming at me.
Akane, did you not tell me you invited him too?
If you do this, what does that make me and the cool act I put on in the past?
Aww, and here I thought I was the only one you asked~ I thought I was the only one you had~ I thought I was the only one you trusted~
Ugh... I want to crawl under my covers right now and kick my legs in embarrassment.
"I heard you cleared the Mage's Grave. You're truly amazing, Yeon-woo."
"Ah... uh... thanks."
Akane, you sly fox, when did you seduce Akito again?
I wondered why I hadn't seen her lately, and here she was, playing house with Akito.
The conquest should have been delayed, so why did Akito suddenly get involved... Well, it’s not like I followed the walkthrough perfectly either.
But isn't this protagonist discrimination?
I was called here alone, but Akito has Shiori, Chika, and even Emma with him.
I don't know why Emma is here instead of the Samurai, but anyway, he brought three people while I came alone.
Wasn't this supposed to be a secret meeting with the fate of the organization on the line?
While Akito is praising my recent exploits with those "gay" eyes of his, a black van pulls up in front of us.
A van? That’s so uncool. It’s only like this because Akito dragged so many kids along.
Akane, who had been standing with us, gets in first without a word and gestures for me to follow.
I sit next to her, and Akito’s group files in one by one. The van starts moving.
But... it’s not like we’re going to a construction site or something; shouldn't someone explain what's going on? This is awkward.
Seriously, she has no sense for these things.
Akane fumbles around by herself before pulling a bag of snacks out and handing them to everyone.
Are we on a picnic? I wondered why she was carrying such a big bag; she must have bought them this morning.
"No, these are Yeon-woo's. Yeon-woo likes these."
When Chika reaches for the potato chips, Akane shakes her head and shoves the bag into my arms.
I guess she was paying attention while she was recording me; she even remembers what I like.
Feeling a bit touched, I open the chips and share them with Chika.
So Akane does care. How sweet of her.
It was a bit ridiculous, but thanks to Akane handing out snacks, the atmosphere thaws, and we make small talk as we head toward our destination.
*
The place we arrive at is a Japanese-style residence with a massive garden.
Calling it a residence feels like an understatement; with multiple buildings divided within an endless wall, it feels more like a manor.
We follow an attendant waiting at the gate and are led to a guest room.
"..."
This feels a bit unpleasant.
I came prepared to meet a stubborn old geezer, but he’s being annoying right from the start.
As soon as we arrived, they split me up from Akito’s group and led us to different locations.
I assume they want to talk to us separately.
What, am I here for an interview? They’re the ones in a bind, so how many "secrets" do they need to discuss that they have to split us up?
If they were going to do this, they should have scheduled us on different days. Why call everyone at once and make us wait?
Above all, seeing as I’ve been waiting alone for about thirty minutes, it seems they’re meeting Akito first.
Of course. They’re the great Daihara family, so a low-life commoner like me has to wait.
Thanks to that, I’m on my second cup of this bitter tea.
"No, you can stop serving the tea. Do you have any Coke?"
"...I will ask the kitchen."
"And instead of these wagashi snacks, do you have anything salty? Potato chips would be fine."
"......I will look into that as well."
Why? Are potato chips and soda beneath your standards?
The woman who had been attending to me answers with a stiff expression and leaves.
Typical bunch of old-fashioned snobs.
If you were going to be like this, why did you have Akane investigate me? Listen, buddy, if you met my Team Leader, you would’ve been nagged for three days straight.
If you investigated me and know what I like, you should have had it all set up to welcome me. Why force me to adjust to your tastes?
Left alone for a moment, I organize my thoughts.
I’ve got Amagi to deal with and Tyran Energy to worry about; I’m busy as hell, so if they were going to call Akito, why me...
No, wait. No matter what kind of desperate performance Akito puts on, he won't be able to persuade that stubborn old man.
Wouldn't assassinating the old geezer be the fastest way to save Akane’s organization?
Akane’s clan is called the Earthbound People.
Yes, "Earthbound" as in "Earthbound Spirit."
Like the Shrine Maiden Clan, Elves, and Beastkin, they are a new race of humans created through magic and genetic manipulation—or whatever science—during the Great Cataclysm. They are a clan that binds their souls to their ancestral land to gain or borrow the power of the earth.
The reason Akane is so strong at such a young age that Akito needs a full party to face her is because of the clan's unique traits.
The reason they call themselves an "organization" despite being a clan is that they found a way to bind souls even if they aren't of the same bloodline.
Outsiders could also use the power of the Earthbound People, and the clan transformed into an organization, using that power as bait to grow in size.
But they probably didn't realize this would become a problem.
The land where souls can be bound is limited, but they kept cramming souls in like a chicken coop, and the land died.
Ah, it’s not dead yet. It’s just about to die.
That’s why they’re coveting the Source, which is widely known as an all-purpose energy.
Actually, the way to save the land is simple.
You just have to kill the people whose souls are bound to it.
Once a soul is fixed, it cannot be released until death, so you have to remove the people who are constantly draining the energy.
But how could they possibly do that?
They should have stopped expanding the organization when the signs first appeared, but their greed brought them to this point.
In the end, they brought it on themselves, but what did the kids like Akane do to deserve this? The adults just shoved souls into them as they pleased.
This isn't just a problem of having no more land to use.
As the land loses its power, the people who bound their souls to it are also affected.
Akane... perhaps because she’s strong, didn't seem to show much effect in the game, but right now, the children of the clan are all half-dead.
Sigh... Well, I’m sure there were many who bound their souls believing it would help the children, without knowing any better.
Ultimately, the problem lies with the leadership—the bastards who saw the signs of the land dying and either ignored them or hid them.
Like that stubborn old geezer walking over here with his hands behind his back and an arrogant stride.
I wonder what he talked about with Akito.
Did he hide all their faults and play the victim perfectly, just like in the game's story?
Is Akito a Guardian of the Source too? Or did he try to persuade him because he’s from the illustrious Daihara family?
"..."
"..."
Well, say something, you old fart.
What are you just staring for? I’m the guest you invited. I don't expect a "thank you for coming," but could you stop acting all high and mighty like you're meeting a subordinate?
The stubborn old man, Fable, scowls as he waits for me to greet him first.
"You are just as much of a reckless brat as Akane described. To think you lack even basic manners... Yggdrasil has truly fallen from grace."
"I didn't hear anything from Akane, but you're just as unpleasant as you look. And Yggdrasil is a place that teaches magic, not an etiquette school. Are you going senile?"
"You insolent brat! Do you have any idea who this is?!"
Since I came out swinging from the start, the man attending him erupts in mana and shouts in anger.
Do I know who he is? I know him very well.
"Isn't he the man who ruined his family by using up the clan's land as he pleased? I don't see why I should show respect to someone so incompetent."
"..."
I must have hit his pride right where it hurts, because Fable’s aged face turns beet red and contorts.
"Why do you follow a man so incompetent that he did nothing until this crisis occurred? No, I’m genuinely curious. You must have seen the signs of the land dying for a long time; what did you do?"
"......It seems you have done quite a bit of investigation. Did you hear this from Akane?"
"No, unlike some incompetent person, Akane does her job well and didn't leak any information. I’m just that brilliant. Unlike all of you."
I make a V-sign with my fingers and wiggle them like rabbit ears, and he looks like he’s about to die of rage.
He must be so happy that he’s already gripped his staff.
Excited to try out a spell?
"And you know the solution is simple, right? You don't even need to pick a fight with Yggdrasil."
"..."
"You just have to get rid of the incompetent bastards right in front of you."
"Shut up!!"
One of the attendants screams and swings a greatsword at me.
KABOOM—!
A massive sound rings out as the area around me is devastated, but I remain calm.
The people flinch when they see me unmoved, even though the greatsword struck my head.
As expected, nothing Frey teaches is useless.
By using Mana Barrier Melting to fix my body to the ground, I can pull off this "I’m insanely strong" look perfectly.
All that hard work really paid off.
"Ah, the Coke is here. Give it to me."
The servant who happened to bring the potato chips and Coke on a tray hesitates and approaches cautiously after seeing me gesture.
Since the table in front of me was smashed by the greatsword swing, I take the tray from her, place it on my lap, and take a sip of Coke.
Aaah— nothing beats carbonation when you're feeling frustrated.
But since it’s getting annoying, could you move that greatsword you've got pressed against my temple? Doesn't your arm hurt holding it like that?
"You know, I have a question. Do you think Yggdrasil is a pushover?"
"..."
"Earthbound People? Is that more impressive than the Source? You're picking a fight with Yggdrasil, which receives the power of the Source directly? There are very few organizations in the world that can stand up to Yggdrasil alone. Do you really think you're on that level?"
Since I just pulled off the "I’m insanely strong" act, my words carry weight.
As I scan the room, people flinch and tense up, even though I’m just smiling normally.
Except for Fable, that stubborn old geezer.
"It’s hard, isn't it? All the children are getting sick and suffering. But you leave the ones who caused it alone and try to resort to banditry? Is that the pride of the Earthbound People you boast about?"
"Do not speak so recklessly! You have no idea how we feel..."
"Ah~ so because I’m having a hard time, it’s justified to steal from others? Wow, the mindset of criminals really is different from normal people, isn't it? Impressive."
When I clap for her, the woman who spoke up lowers her gaze in shame.
But I guess they were already planning to seize the Source?
I wondered if they had sent Akane to Yggdrasil and requested help from the government, only to resort to extreme measures when that failed—but it turns out they had a rotten plan from the very beginning.
"If you would just lend us the power of the Source, we could live! But you keep refusing!"
"Lend it to you? How would you use it? Do you even know how? Is there any research showing that it can solve your problem?"
"..."
"The Source isn't a miracle cure, you idiots. If it were, would the government just leave Yggdrasil alone and sit idly by?"
Because the government keeps it so hidden, the Source is being treated like some kind of panacea.
Mages love their mysteries and secrets anyway, so they’re going crazy over rumors.
"Shall I tell you one thing? Usually, when there’s internal chaos, the easiest way out is to create an external enemy."
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Finally, he steps in.
Fable, who had been listening silently, roars and draws up his mana.
I don't actually know if Fable believes the Source will solve this problem or not.
What I’m doing right now is sowing discord.
I told you, I wouldn't be kind or nice like Akito.
I’m going to take the easiest path and clear out these incompetent fools.
"Do you really believe him? The words of the very man who brought the organization... no, the clan, to ruin?"
KABOOM—!!!
Damn, I couldn't hold out with Melting this time.
As expected of the head of an organization, his magic is powerful. I’m ripped away along with the chair and the floor I was fused to, and sent flying into the garden.
But the "I’m insanely strong" act must go on.
I move my body in mid-air and land the piece of floor I was attached to firmly on the ground.
To the onlookers, I must have looked like a martial arts master.
Only my location has changed; I’m still sitting in the chair just like before. I brush off a potato chip that fell on the floor and pop it into my mouth.
It hasn't been three seconds, so it’s fine.
"Everyone, think carefully. The one who is killing your children is none other than that man. And by following him, you are all accomplices in their deaths."
I know I can't shake an organization with just these words.
But for now, a small doubt is enough.
I’ll keep sowing doubt and creating discontent.
Keep fuming, old man.
You need to show everyone that you're angry and unable to control your emotions for them to stop trusting you.