Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: A New Mission and a Proposal
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Everyone looked satisfied with his determined answer.
With that, the sudden meeting came to a close.
Magda, in particular, was busy. Having been away from the Union for so long, she had a mountain of commander's duties to catch up on.
Werner followed after her.
He mentioned that he needed to meet with the magicians of the Honor Division who had remained at the Union first.
Loan also stood up, saying he would go to the Faith Division to report his return.
Lazarus stopped him.
“Sir Loan.”
“Yes.”
“You mentioned you already had plans to go to Grafton.”
As he spoke, his gaze rested on Loan’s necklace.
The crest of an ancient elven family. Unlike the last time he saw it, it now held a strange light and was faintly trembling.
“Yes.”
“May I ask why?”
“…”
Loan paused, wondering where to begin his story.
Lazarus stared intently at Loan's thoughtful face before speaking.
“You want to know about that crest, I imagine. Just like the brooch you had when you first came here. You probably suspect it’s related to the royal family.”
“Yes.”
There was so much to say, yet only a single word came out.
“I understand. And it’s true there’s enough circumstantial evidence to warrant it.”
“Is there anything you know? Something I should be aware of beforehand.”
“I’m in much the same position. Hasty assumptions only serve to cloud one’s judgment. So please, Sir Loan, make your decisions based only on what you see and confirm for yourself.”
“…I will.”
“And one more thing.”
Lazarus briefly touched his thumb to his other fingers in succession, as if counting.
“Before you leave for Grafton, when you are ready, could you give me a day of your time? There is something I wish to share with you.”
The fact that he needed a full day suggested it wasn't a physical object he wanted to give.
In any case, what reason was there to refuse?
He had always treated him well and looked after him. He had even made a Vow of Silence for his sake. Having witnessed what that entailed with his own eyes, he felt a renewed sense of awe and gratitude.
“I understand.”
With that promise made, Loan left the Administration Bureau.
Lazarus’s eyes were filled with concern.
He watched until Loan turned in the direction of the Faith Division and disappeared from sight.
“Runner Loan, I have returned.”
He announced loudly as he entered the headquarters’ training grounds.
It was quite empty. Only a few members were present.
“Ooh!”
The few senior members present quickly gathered around Loan. They all welcomed his return.
The news Loan had sent, especially his exploits in Schwerin, was a topic of particular interest to everyone.
“I heard you cast a grand spell that encompassed the magic towers.”
“The guys from the Honor Division said they’d never even heard of such magic.”
“The Commander herself went to Schwerin, so we had to turn back. Everyone’s busy in their respective regions, so we’re taking turns resting.”
“You seem to have grown. Taller, and your build too. Your face is starting to show the marks of experience.”
“I thought you were catching up to us, but now you’ve completely surpassed us and pulled away. Still, I’m proud.”
Hearing their kind words warmed his heart.
The fatigue of the past few days and the mountain of tasks ahead were momentarily forgotten.
The fact that Sienna, who was like his direct senior, was still here particularly pleased Loan.
“I’m back, Senior.”
“You look well.”
Her flat, cool tone was unchanged.
Still, Loan knew she was very happy to see him.
The two walked around the training grounds as if on a stroll, talking.
There were too many things to discuss that couldn't be conveyed by messenger pigeon.
“The Commander is tracking a Le Tell branch. The Vice-Commander and Lucas are disguised as father and son—well, they are, aren’t they? Anyway, they’ve headed to Rhodes under that guise. They plan to use the civil war as cover to infiltrate the emerging Philippa faction and gather intelligence.”
Loan silently cheered for his seniors, who were scattered across various regions gathering information on Grave.
Then he asked.
“Is there anywhere that needs a hand? If the Commander doesn’t have a specific mission for me, I was thinking of getting started right away.”
“You just got here. Without even resting?”
“I’m not that tired, really. Besides, everyone else is out on missions.”
Loan was planning to seek cooperation from the duchies near his mission area while carrying out his Faith Division duties.
But it was too soon to voice his still-developing, somewhat secretive plans.
Fortunately, since this was typical of Loan—always eager to work—Sienna didn't suspect anything.
“We’ve identified most of the command structure, aside from Le Tell and Brien. Norfolk is out of the question since it’s difficult to even approach. So, there’s nowhere to send you right now without direct orders from the Commander. There’s no need to push yourself.”
“I see. In that case, could I request and proceed with a personal mission?”
“You’d need executive approval from the Commander or authorization from the Governor-General, but the Commander is unreachable, and the Governor-General is in seclusion in the Clock Tower. Your only option would be to get approval from the Administration Bureau.”
“What’s your next assignment, Senior?”
“Me?”
Sienna paused, looking Loan straight in the eye.
“Ferrara is my next destination. The council of nobles has concluded, and an assembly has been formed, so it looks like the state of anarchy will soon be resolved. It’s a support mission for the Responsibility Division, which is handling the field operations. I leave at dawn tomorrow.”
Ferrara.
The place held many vivid memories for Loan. He had danced there, the duke and duchess had died, and the demon that possessed Amy had transferred to Bella.
“Then I’ll make my personal mission a trip to Ferrara as well. I’ll apply at the Administration Bureau right away.”
“Already?”
Sienna looked like she was about to say something, but Loan didn't wait to hear it, turning and walking away.
Loan didn't see it, but a slightly flustered expression crossed Sienna’s face.
A short while later.
Someone in the Administration Bureau was wearing a similar expression.
Lazarus.
He was puzzled to see Loan return so soon after they had just parted ways.
The director dismissed the clerk on duty and greeted Loan personally.
“Runner Loan of the Faith Division, requesting approval for a personal mission.”
“So soon… I didn’t expect you to leave again already. We haven’t even finished discussing your compensation…”
“My merits aren’t going anywhere. You can take your time. I’m not expecting anything anyway.”
“Yes… well, then. Where will you be going, and for what purpose?”
“I’m going to Ferrara. I don’t have a badge from there yet.”
“It is an essential stop if you are to represent the Six Duchies. And with an assembly having just been formed, the timing is not bad.”
“And on my way back, I plan to stop by Versa. Although I have the Albre family’s symbol, they are not the ruling family of Versa.”
“Strictly speaking, that is correct. Representing the Albre family on your way to Grafton could be interpreted as a serious interference in Versa’s internal affairs.”
This wasn’t the time to discuss the practical details, so they moved on, but both Loan and Lazarus were well aware of this point.
Inwardly, they both acknowledged each other’s astuteness.
“Yes. So for Versa, I think the pretext of economic cooperation would be best. I’ll take care of Ferrara and Versa, and then return.”
After a moment of deep thought, Lazarus pulled a piece of paper onto the table and levitated several pens above it.
The pens began to move simultaneously, writing out a letter. Loan caught glimpses of embarrassingly flattering words praising him.
*Ssk- ssk-* With multiple pens writing several lines at once, the document was completed rather quickly.
“This should give you some leverage. Since this mission began with the Governor-General’s full support, you should make use of every available resource.”
Taking it, he saw it was indeed a letter of guarantee.
The letter stated that the Ferrara assembly needed to send an envoy to Grafton for official recognition—and it contained a semi-coercive request that, to promote and sustain their relationship with the Union, they should present the member carrying this letter with a token of cooperation, specifically a badge of symbolic meaning.
Loan looked slightly troubled.
“Is this really okay?”
“They won’t hand it over willingly. But there’s no better way to reveal our intentions and have them present their terms. After that, it will be up to you to win it, Sir Loan.”
“I feel like some kind of badge collector or hunter.”
Lazarus thought, *'Aren't you?'* but kept the words to himself.
“So, when do you depart?”
“I’ll leave according to Senior Sienna’s schedule.”
Loan bid Lazarus farewell for the second time and went to find the Honor Division.
Magda and Werner. He couldn't just leave for Ferrara without telling his two seniors.
He thought about how busy he'd been since returning to the Union as he entered the Honor Division's main building.
Right from the entrance, he was surrounded by senior members who recognized him.
It couldn't be helped.
For the magicians, the news from Schwerin was nothing short of astonishing.
“Is it true you gained the cooperation of the magic towers?”
“How did you do it? I heard even 4th-Class magicians find it difficult to pass the test.”
“No, forget that. There’s a rumor you manifested magic through the towers themselves…”
They were certainly more forward than the magicians from the magic towers.
Their curiosity bordered on impolite.
Of course, since these were the people who would need to accept the concept of Circles in the future, this attitude wasn't entirely a bad thing.
“I’ll arrange a time with Tower Master Werner soon. I can tell you more then. For now…”
Just then, Magda came down, drawn by the commotion.
Werner was with her.
“Commander.”
“Loan, what is it now?”
“I’m heading to Ferrara for a mission.”
“Who gave a mission to someone who just got back?”
“…I did.”
“Ah…”
Magda gazed at the ever-striving Loan with a fond look for a moment, then gently patted his shoulder.
The magicians, startled, took a step back from Loan and Magda. Werner did the same.
Seeing Magda act so affectionately was incredibly unfamiliar and, frankly, terrifying.
“Be careful on your journey.”
Magda kept her words brief, expressing her feelings simply.
“You take care as well, Commander.”
Perhaps Loan was the only one who could accept her feelings so plainly, without any preconceived notions.
And then.
Someone who was in no way inferior to Magda—
Sienna, who naturally brought to mind images of coldness, reason, composure, ruthlessness, and frost.
Unlike her usual self, she spoke warmly with Loan.
This happened the next day, on their way to Ferrara.
“You really use the sphere like that?”
Listening to Loan recount his experiences, Sienna was occasionally surprised, letting out exclamations that were closer to sighs of admiration.
She was particularly interested in his magical techniques.
After all, she had only caught a glimpse of the Sphere of the Void at the Albre estate.
“It’s the highest-level magic I can use, but it has its drawbacks.”
“Drawbacks?”
“It has excellent defensive and offensive power, but it’s more of a finishing move for a decisive, short battle. The mana consumption is also huge.”
“I suppose powerful techniques are bound to have such repercussions.”
“That’s why I’m thinking of organizing my magic system. The first step is to refine the spells I can use in everyday situations.”
“Spells for everyday situations?”
“I’m planning to create seven techniques. One for each of the Seven Duchies.”
It was a rather boyish and mock-worthy idea.
Sienna restrained herself.
“I see. You’re always creating something new.”
“Yes. I’ll show you the Void series when I get the chance.”
“Didn’t you say it was a finishing move? A ‘chance’ to see it sounds like a crisis, so I’ll pass.”
“Haha, that’s funny.”
“…”
Even though she had only made a very slight joke, Sienna was quite pleased that Loan enjoyed it.
Therefore, even though Loan’s next question was somewhat presumptuous, she didn’t take offense.
“How about you, Senior?”
“Hm?”
“Ah, I feel like I’ve only been talking about my own techniques.”
“Are you asking how much stronger I’ve gotten since we last saw each other?”
“Yes.”
Sienna gazed at a distant cloud for a moment.
“I’ve had back-to-back missions, so I haven’t had much time to train… but that’s just an excuse, isn’t it? Especially seeing how much you’ve grown.”
“Ah…”
Loan hesitated for a moment before mustering his courage to speak.
“Then, would you be interested in doing something with me in our spare time? I think it would be good to share what I learned in Schwerin with you.”
For her rank and swordsmanship, Sienna’s aura was weak.
Loan was confident that Circles would be useful not just for magicians, but for swordsmen as well.