Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: A Meeting of Commanders
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Seven Experts, each wearing an iron-steel badge.
That was why the vast hall shimmered with a strange light.
The sheer volume and density of mana were unlike anything he had ever experienced. The auras of light were also excessively brilliant.
“Loan, Runner of the Faith Division. It is an honor to meet the seven Commanders.”
Yet, he was undaunted.
He felt more welcome than intimidated. These were the figures he would have to look up to and follow. No, perhaps they were the ones he would one day have to surpass.
Seeing Loan meet the eyes of each Commander without a hint of fear, Adrian beamed.
“Strange to see us all in one place, isn't it? We weren't just gathered here to hang out.”
While they all had a considerable presence, Adrian's relaxed demeanor was second to none.
His light expression and friendly tone were the same as ever.
Thanks to him, what little tension remained in Loan completely dissipated.
Loan answered with a smile.
“I heard your solo mission was arduous. Are you injured anywhere? You must still be weary from your travels.”
The one who asked in a calm tone was Commander Magda of the Honor Division.
She carefully studied Loan's face before her expression softened with relief, which felt quite warm. To the other Commanders, however, it seemed rather out of character.
“So, there are times when Commander Magda shows interest in people.”
Someone provoked her with a cynical remark.
“Vangelis. Isn't treating comrades as tools your specialty?”
“Is that so? Then I suppose I'm a tool as well. No. Aren't we all? Am I wrong?”
The man was leaning against the table, resting his face in one hand.
Though it was their first meeting, Loan recognized him immediately from the descriptions he had heard.
Commander Vangelis of the Practical Division.
His pouting lower lip gave him an air of extreme boredom, yet his gaze on Loan was as sharp as a honed blade.
Commander Hans of the Stability Division gave a small wave, drawing Loan's attention.
“Commander Vangelis only talks like that. He's actually the most sentimental one among us.”
“What are you….”
Vangelis started to retort but quickly sighed and rested his chin in his hand again.
Hans beamed.
“Just from reading Vice-Commander Oscar's report, I can tell you went through a lot. We called you here without even giving you time to rest.”
“What time does a Runner have to rest? Back in my day, fighting for three days and nights straight was the norm.”
The man with the largest build among them.
Loan had seen him up close when he was judging the promotion exam.
The giant, who looked a full head taller than Duke Ferrara, was Commander Garcia of the Responsibility Division.
He continued.
“Every mission is a step forward, a form of training. Within them, you must constantly reflect on yourself and seek the path ahead. Let praise wash over you but carve criticism into your very being. Back in my day, a single golden word from a senior was as precious as the mission itself.”
“Mister, you talk too much. Anyway. Hey, you. Why didn't you come when I called? I told you to come see me as soon as you returned to the Union.”
The one questioning him with her arms crossed was Commander Lydia of the Harmony Division.
She had said that to him one-sidedly after the battle in Barchino.
He had asked Commander Adrian about visiting the Harmony Division, but Adrian had told him not to worry about it and to go have fun in Ferrara instead.
Loan wore a slightly troubled expression, and Magda, noticing this, immediately shot a remark at Lydia.
“You ugly thing. Leave Loan alone. Aren't you just planning to call him over and harass him by demanding a test of his skills?”
“Interest? What interest? And you, old lady. When have I ever harassed a kid from another division? You were like this before, too, being all protective.”
“He may belong to the Faith Division, but as I've said many times, he is like a magical comrade to me.”
“Whatever. You, come find me at the Harmony Division once you've recovered from your journey. This time for sure.”
“The last spell I saw was very impressive, and I've been waiting for you. Besides that, there's a mountain of things I want to ask you and research together. If anyone's meeting him, it'll be me first.”
“No, no.”
Hans interjected into Lydia and Magda's argument.
“I think the Stability Division should be the first to have some time with him. I have things to discuss with Loan regarding the purification of demonic possession.”
At that.
“If we're talking about turns, then I'm first. It's not like any of you have urgent business. I have to ask that kid about the final moments of my former division member.”
Unexpectedly, Commander Vangelis of the Practical Division joined the conversation.
“It's great that our boy is so popular, but even I, his commander, haven't had a chance to talk with Loan yet, you know?”
Finally, even Adrian jumped into the fray.
The hall became incredibly noisy.
Loan had barely even managed to greet them.
Just then.
*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Someone slammed a gavel, silencing the commotion.
“Just a moment. This isn't the time to be arguing about who gets to meet with him first…”
“Stay out of this, Freedom Division.”
“You short, ugly thing, this is not your place to interfere.”
“Of course, of course. Perhaps this is an issue we should resolve before proceeding with the meeting.”
“You shouldn't bang that thing recklessly. Back in my day…”
“Ahahaha! This is fun for a change, isn't it?”
“What are you all doing…”
It was useless.
The Commander of the Freedom Division, Delphi, was at a complete loss.
Biting her lower lip in frustration, she suddenly spoke with a determined expression, as if having made a decision.
“I'm going to tell the Captain.”
“…”
Those who had been about to raise their voices suddenly shut their mouths.
“The Freedom Division may act independently, but today, I am presiding over this meeting as the Captain's deputy, so please bear with me. Shall we begin?”
Loan found the dead silence that fell over the room incredibly strange.
Commander Delphi couldn't hide the proud smile that spread across her face, clearly pleased with her accomplishment.
*'What an interesting person.'*
At the same time, he was extremely curious about the Captain who could rein in these strong-willed individuals with a single word.
Delphi spoke in a deliberately stern voice.
“Loan? Please, have a seat. We have a great deal to discuss.”
Loan took the documents Delphi handed him and sat down.
“Ah, no. That's the Captain's seat.”
“Oh, my apologies.”
He had chosen the shabbiest-looking chair facing the table, never imagining it would be the Captain's.
“Haha, our Runner is full of ambition. I'm so proud.”
Everyone added their own comments to Adrian's jest. And again...
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Delphi silenced the commotion with her gavel and immediately proceeded with the meeting.
“This meeting has been convened to gather the Commanders' opinions on important matters, based on the report of Faith Division Runner Loan's solo Grade 5 mission. The decisions made in this meeting will be submitted to the Governor-General and the Captain for post-approval.”
*Rustle—.*
The sound of papers turning echoed from all around.
It was the report written by Vice-Commander Oscar himself. The contents were well-organized.
*'The Vice-Commander is much smarter and more meticulous than I thought.'*
Although the documents were extensive, the progress report proceeded quickly thanks to Commander Delphi's excellent summary as she led the meeting.
Her ability to grasp the key points was remarkably sharp.
It was amazing how perfectly they aligned with Loan's own thoughts.
*'She's smart, too.'*
The agenda, based on the summarized content, consisted of three items.
“First, the investigation and collection of the Stone of Goetia. Second, handling the civil unrest in the various duchies caused by the Grave. And finally, the investigation of the Forgotten Wheat Field and the underground city located in Rhodes.”
She added that information regarding demons, the gate to the demon world, visions, and the like would naturally be gathered during the investigation of these three items.
“Now, before we open the floor for opinions, let's hear a word from Loan.”
At Delphi's words, all eyes turned to him once more.
Though it was sudden, Loan calmly rose from his seat and shared his thoughts.
“I have witnessed evil begetting more evil everywhere I went. If demons are taking root or reawakening in various places, and if the Grave, influenced by them, become even more rampant, it may be too much for us to prevent the coming ruin. I believe we must act swiftly.”
“Ruin?”
Delphi asked.
“Yes. What the Grave desires is the world's downfall. What the demons desire is to open the gate. Their goals align. We must stop them before that happens.”
“He's right. A single demon has thrown both Ferrara and Rhodes into chaos. If there are dozens more of them out there, we need to deal with them before they can gather and lend their strength to the Grave. We have to move fast.”
When Adrian seconded Loan's opinion, a rare occurrence, everyone agreed.
There was no need for him to even mention his visions.
The events that had already transpired were nothing short of omens of ruin, and the Union was never one to be complacent when it came to eradicating evil.
“First, regarding the Rhodes investigation, how about we form a separate team, independent of the seven divisions?”
As all eyes turned to him, Hans elaborated.
“Rhodes has been cautious until now, so the Union hasn't paid it much mind. But as you know, the Forgotten Wheat Field has a fatal effect on the human psyche. Based on the report, it seems to be due to dark mana, which makes it all the more impossible to send just anyone.”
“True. He may have been exiled from the Union, but if a man who had risen to the rank of Runner could go mad, then any one of us could suffer the same fate.”
Magda said, looking at Commander Vangelis of the Practical Division.
Vangelis, still resting his chin in his hand, merely shrugged.
Delphi said.
“If dark mana is going to be an issue, then the Stability and Honor Divisions will need to handle the Rhodes matter together for now.”
“Yes, yes. I think we should form a joint effort centered around Loan.”
“Mm. I think so as well. Once the issue of entry is resolved, we will reorganize the investigation team on a larger scale.”
Hans and Magda immediately put their heads together and began murmuring about something.
From what Loan could overhear, it seemed Hans already had a plan in mind.
“Any other opinions?”
In response to Delphi's question, Garcia and Lydia spoke up.
“The problem is the Grave. The speed at which they're organizing is formidable. Le Tell seems to be at the center of it, but they're hidden too well. We only ever catch their small fry. Back when I was a Seeker…”
“That's right. We went through all the trouble of eradicating Libertha in Barchino, only for some other strange group to try and fill the void. They're called the Maligno, and it seems Le Tell is behind them.”
Delphi summarized.
“So, the factions currently worth mentioning are the Orc Legion Norfolk, which has been rampant in northeastern Shiong recently; the dark magician group Brien, operating in the shadows of Schwerin; the crime syndicate Nostra, rooted in Ferrara; and lately, we've been hearing the names Ferber of Bersa and Maligno of Barchino. And behind all of them, the name that keeps appearing is the dark cult Le Tell. That about covers it.”
“That's an awful lot to 'about cover it,' isn't it?”
Vangelis, who had retorted without thinking, shrugged again as all eyes fell on him.
Adrian said.
“How about the Practical Division looks into the Stone of Goetia? You could just backtrack the process of how they were gathered in Ferrara. Check with the merchant guilds and families about where and how they found them, get some help. We'll lend a hand too. Sound good?”
“Well… whatever.”
Watching Commander Vangelis agree so readily, Loan sensed that a peculiar relationship existed among the Commanders.
The meeting immediately moved on to practical matters, and the Commanders began to freely exchange opinions among themselves.
Their personalities were all different, as were their thoughts.
When someone raised their voice, others would follow suit, only for them all to quiet down in an instant at a softer tone.
The sound waves, clashing and resonating.
Perhaps it was because they were filled with the desire to save the world.
*'For some reason, it's pleasant to listen to.'*
Loan, who had been sitting quietly and watching the Commanders for a while, briefly closed his eyes.
And with those sounds, which felt somewhat like a lullaby, he drifted off to sleep.
A moment later.
“Shh—.”
Adrian, noticing that Loan had fallen asleep, put a finger to his lips and shushed everyone.
For a moment, they all gazed at the sleeping Loan as if admiring a painting.
Garcia, suddenly coming to his senses, tried to say something.
“Ahem, back in my day…”
But he couldn't finish, as Magda magically sealed his mouth shut.