Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: Platinum
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“Platinum?”
“Platinum?”
“Platinum, he says.”
The moment Bart and I stepped into the adventurers' guild, his massive frame and dragon bone spear drew an avalanche of stares.
What had started as mere curiosity exploded into chaos across the entire branch when the receptionist blurted out "platinum rank" in a frenzy.
Hmph, it's been a while since I've felt eyes like these... A wry smile tugged at my lips amid the nagging sense of déjà vu.
- Look at that, it's the hero party.
Back during the war, even when all the top mercenary bands gathered, there was a clear gap in how they were treated compared to the hero party.
Mercenaries carried that rough, thuggish reputation, while the hero party was seen as a noble group bearing humanity's salvation on their shoulders.
That's probably why I'd get those jealous yet envious looks from so many mercenaries back then. Just like now.
"C-Confirmed. Bart Yuuruns!"
The receptionist verified the paperwork and ID tag Bart submitted, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"Your rank has risen to platinum 11th place. You can now accept S-rank and higher requests...!"
At once, not just the other receptionists but even the branch chief rushed out, offering utmost courtesy.
"I am Willum, branch chief of the Orbenheim Guild. Please remember me, and contact us if you need any assistance!"
No surprise there.
Platinum was the honor bestowed only upon the eleven adventurers at the pinnacle of their field.
Normally, you'd head to guild headquarters for a grand ceremony to receive your platinum ID tag.
When I got mine—the one that gleamed like pure platinum atop the dais—even the adventurers and staff dining in the hall had turned to watch.
"Black Iron Bart? First I've heard of him."
"Must've been active up north."
"Look at the size of him. How does he even carry that thing around?"
Some exchanged puzzled whispers, while others boasted of their skills and tried recruiting me into their parties.
"Sorry, but we're not taking any more members."
"Come on, don't be like that. I'm seriously strong. Know what they call me? The Strongest."
"Sorry, but it'd help if you spoke in the common tongue."
Amid the rowdy thugs, one figure stood out, drawing my eye more than the rest.
Maybe because she looked so utterly out of place here?
She was a little kid, about Aki's size, hood pulled low over her face, struggling desperately to push through to us.
"Need help or somethin'?"
Aki stepped up, tilting her head curiously. The kid just stammered, lips flapping wordlessly.
"I'll help Aki-style!"
With that, she yanked the kid out from between the adults' legs and dragged her over.
'Hm?'
For a split second, Rain couldn't help tilting his head.
The hooded cloak slipped off, revealing an innately noble face that no disguise could hide.
A boy with sun-bleached golden curls like desert sands and clear violet eyes.
'Not exactly a pretty boy, but anyone could tell he's no ordinary stock...'
Face flushing red, the boy fumbled for his cloak and hastily covered up again.
He cautiously scanned the surroundings under his hood, but with all eyes glued to Bart, that's all he'd see.
He let out a relieved breath, suggesting some story behind it all.
"What is it?"
Rain asked gently, but the boy just fidgeted with his fingers, spouting gibberish.
"Ah, ahh, aeh, auh."
Aki's eyes lit up!
"Abu, aba, father, abeh!"
"?"
"???"
"You know what that means?"
Was it some dragon tongue I didn't know?
"Nope!"
Such was the intellect of a true dragon...
Rain pinched his brow with a sigh—then noticed the boy's hand movements felt oddly familiar.
No, not just familiar. This was sign language?
'Link and Kies used basic signs sometimes, so I know more than most...'
The implication of using sign language was singular.
"You can't speak?"
His hearing seemed fine; the boy rolled his eyes in embarrassment and looked down.
"Why can't you talk?"
"Ah, ahh, a."
Hmph, got it.
Rain pulled a hemostatic bandage from Celesia's pocket dimension. He bit his pinky to draw blood.
- Lin, promise me?
The magic circle took four forms.
He read the bioelectric response in the left cerebral hemisphere governing language with Bell Sidias.
- When you return, you'll be a grown-up who shares the light of magic freely with others.
Making this for Link had taken trial and error, plus material help from Nils, but with Bell Sidias now, he could do it solo.
Even simplified with blood, the craftsmanship was impeccable, if he said so himself.
He tied the bandage around the wary boy's forehead like a headband.
"Ah, ahh, aehh..."
In that instant, a hand shot out from nowhere, grabbing his collar. A dagger pressed against his throat.
"You bastard, what the hell do you think you're—!"
Rain had sensed the killing intent approaching.
But it wasn't a threat worth guarding against, so he'd let it slide. Plus, he had allies nearby.
Just then, an old swordsman's jaw slammed into the table. It was Miria nearby, deftly snatching the knife from his grip.
"Miria, enough. Let him go."
By then, Rain had finished tying the bandage and raised both hands.
"D-Don't, d-don't do th-that...?"
The boy's eyes went blank as he rushed from Rain's hands to the old swordsman, wriggling free. He looked like he couldn't believe his ears.
Not just the boy—the swordsman was shaken too.
Rain placed a light hand on the boy's head.
"There, now you can talk, right?"
"......?!"
"Go to a good gear shop and have them engrave that exact magic circle into a magic tool. It'll be fine to wear all the time."
That wrapped up business at the guild.
Bart looked worn out from the adventurer swarm, and they'd linked up with Miria and Rem anyway. Time to head out.
As Rain turned to leave, the boy grabbed Celesia's sleeve and urgently spoke.
"P-Please, h-help me."
* * *
Orbenheim sat at the crossroads of northern and southern maritime trade, its prosperity dazzling despite its size.
Not just the upfront splendor, but the underworld thriving in the shadows too.
At the mouth of a back alley leading to the red-light district stood a dingy street stall, where Valensidis leaned against the counter.
"Been a while."
At the familiar presence, the old woman minding the stall bared her yellowed, rotten teeth in a grin.
"Tureina's plaything, eh? Heard your master's already broken. Heh heh heh."
Valensidis stopped Pipi from bristling and placed a pouch brimming with silver coins on the counter.
"I need info on North Adrion. What's the situation like lately?"
The old woman hefted the bundle, a smile creasing her lips as the silver's gleam dotted her face.
"No need to ask. Well, actually, yes there is. The Dawn Brigade's picking up speed—soon the whole northern continent'll be in their palm."
Valensidis arched a brow.
The Black Church's second pillar, the Dawn Brigade under Elamas, needed no introduction: foes beyond even the Slayers.
Better head south before the north falls fully under their sway.
"Heard they're about to swallow Solond Kingdom whole, but that kid prince escaped or something. That's all I got."
Swallow Solond Kingdom?
It wasn't in Valensidis's intel network. Had the elusive Elamas set up base there?
He kept a straight face, just flicking his eyes—no sense acting shocked, or this hag would jack up the price.
"But what of it? That prince is famous as a mute. What can a useless brat like that do on the run? Heh heh heh."
* * *
Help me...
Help with what, exactly?
Even outside the guild, the kid kept trailing them, drawing a sigh. Bart was still mobbed by adventurers.
"Got money?"
Rem asked gruffly, fully aware of their journey's goal and risks.
"Sorry, but we don't have the luxury for charity right now..."
The kid thrust out a necklace worn precious around his neck toward Rem.
His old warrior escort paled, too slow to intervene—then Aki and Setsunen's eyes widened.
It was an exquisite gem. Twilight bounced off its surface, emitting a sacred tone from some arcane principle.
'Light to sound?'
Was that even possible?
No, he'd heard of it somewhere.
"...More than enough. Hell yeah!"
Rem snatched the gem, drooling as his attitude flipped. The guy's greed never ceased to amaze.
"Th-That's, imp-important. I-I'll, p-pay you back later. Th-Then, I'll g-give you money."
"Later? How much later?"
The old swordsman snatched the gem back from Rem and returned it to the kid, stepping forward.
"The young master and I must reach Solond Kingdom. Escort us to the border, and we'll pay fair compensation."
"Solond? Why need an escort?"
"That's none of your business."
The old swordsman named Baram shoved a request form at them imperiously. It bore the guild's seal: an escort quest.
"B-rank escort request. Pay's decent."
Miria skimmed it quick and explained. Silver upper ranks and above could take B-ranks.
"Hm, detouring to Flame Myriad and earning some coin en route? Not bad."
Rain perched on a barrel in the alley, eyebrow raised; Miria nodded.
"That, and even platinum ranks need hefty contributions and achievements to enter Flame Myriad."
"Why?"
"Tons of parties vanished in the wastelands or the 'Flowing Desert.' They only let real pros through."
Miria's take, but Rem, who'd taken the form, disagreed.
"Pfft, pass."
"What?"
"You guys reek of suspicion. Too risky."
Just then, a sudden vertigo hit Miria like a hammer; she clutched her forehead.
"I've got a killer nose, y'know?"
What was this sensation...
Like some pull dragging her soul to an unknown somewhere...
"No ID, no reason for the escort. Suspicious as hell."
Yawning, Rain watched Rem pressure Baram.
"Who'd take a shady job like this?"
Setsunen and Aki dozed in his arms, their warmth making him drowsy too.
As Rain blinked sleepily, he spotted heat haze rippling around the kid, who kept glancing his way.
Focus off? Space itself warping, twisting...
Space warping?
A chill premonition flashed—then everything exploded at once.
In an instant, the kid's upper body was sliced clean through, space itself severed. Nearby structures bore razor cuts from an invisible blade.
'No way...'
A half-beat later, a gale roared in to fill the void, whipping clothes and hair wildly.
"Ah, ah-ru, ah-ru, ah-ru."
Setsunen, drenched in hot blood, burst into tears.
"What the—why, all of a sudden..."
Miria pressed her chest with a fist, sprawled on the ground; Rem stared wide-eyed at the butchered corpse.
'That sword ki is definitely Spacetime Slash...'
Rain registered the scene crystal clear, yet his heart pounded in frantic chaos.
'Rista's original holy swordsmanship...'
The near-panic lasted a blink—then the perpetrator's silhouette edged into view.
On a distant third-floor rooftop, someone with a greatsword slung on their back spun away fast.
Chase.
He had to. Gut screamed it. Rain kicked off the ground after them, calling a new power's name.
"Come, Setsunen!"
Ching... Setsunen became a streak of light soaring skyward, forming lightning gauntlets on his hands.
New mana surged through his veins, tingling: yellow lightning mana. The dragon's majesty etched into soul and flesh.
A mage couldn't match a swordsman's footwork. But block the footwork, and stamina would close the gap.
"Jesa Chain Thunderflame, Lightning Form."