Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Chapter 17: Hall of Harmony (6)
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A complex magical formation etched with intricate patterns covered the floor.
It was a warp magic circle designed to teleport people and objects to distant locations. Martin placed his right hand on it.
He then activated Distortion of All Things to manipulate the space.
‘The coordinates for the Adalbert family…’
Numbers began appearing one by one in the blank spaces between the patterns of the magic circle.
Once all the blanks were filled, a blue light emanated from the circle, illuminating the surroundings.
Only after the light subsided could Martin finally lift his hand.
“Phew. Now you can come to the Adalbert family whenever you like. Of course, we can visit Altair Village freely too.”
“You’ve done well, young master.”
“Compared to Elder Bartez, who inscribed the warp magic circle himself, this is nothing. By the way, Elder Alessandro.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve heard that Altair Village and Ranens Village can connect to each other. For the time being, I’d appreciate it if you could come through Altair Village to our side. I’ll send someone separately to complete the magic circle on the Ranens Village side.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter if it takes a little longer. Using the Altair Village warp circle is plenty.”
“No, that won’t do. This can be seen as a symbol of mutual trust between us.”
“A symbol of trust… I’ve felt this way for a while now, but you really have a way with words, young master.”
“Thank you.”
Martin smiled in response.
With this, all official business in Altair Forest was complete. All that remained was returning to BAREhain City.
Through the warp magic circle he had just finished setting up.
That was when Solen, who had been quietly watching, approached.
“You’re always so busy, Martin.”
“What can I do? It’s my fate. I’ve just gotten used to it.”
“It’s a shame for me. I wasn’t able to have a proper talk with you this time either.”
“Well, we’ve already met twice now. There’ll be a third time. And now that the warp circle is set up, come visit when you have time. I’ll treat you right.”
“I’d love to, but… I have to return to my homeland.”
“Ah, right. You were heading home but couldn’t because of me.”
“Once I go this time, I won’t be able to see you for a while. As you know, my homeland has the most hardliners among our kin.”
“Ah, yeah. That place is definitely a bit…”
Martin gave a wry smile at Solen’s words.
In human terms, she was equivalent to a princess.
Given that she had been kidnapped, the elves’ hostility toward humans would be beyond imagination.
“Still, thanks to you, I’ve learned one thing for sure. There’s nothing to gain from condemning all humans as evil. There are plenty of good ones, like you and Sien.”
“Thank you for seeing it that way. It’s not exactly a promise, but… in the North, elves and dwarves will never be kidnapped and turned into slaves.”
“No one can achieve everything at once. I believe your resolve will eventually change all of humanity.”
With those words, Solen stepped closer to Martin.
She hugged him tightly.
He was momentarily flustered by her sudden action, but only for a moment.
‘She’s a friend. This much is fine.’
Even Sien was nodding as if it was no big deal.
Martin carefully returned the hug.
A few seconds later, they stepped back from each other. She then went straight to Sien and embraced her.
Sien hugged back.
“I hope we meet again soon, Sien.”
“Me too. And I’m sure the opportunity will come.”
“Your words always bring me joy. I’ll look forward to that day.”
“By elf standards, it shouldn’t take that long.”
“It’s nice to fully enjoy the benefits of a long-lived race.”
Solen smiled softly as she stepped back from the warp magic circle.
“Phew.”
Christian let out a sigh at her actions.
He had secretly hoped she would acknowledge him, but reality didn’t match his expectations.
“If I’d known, I would’ve joined the Northern tour.”
“With your obvious ulterior motives, she wouldn’t have come near you? I can guarantee it.”
“If you weren’t my lord…”
“What are you gonna do about it?”
Even as Martin teased him with a grin, Christian clamped his mouth shut.
Reaching 8th circle at 18 was absurd enough.
What was even more shocking was that her flame manipulation was on par with his own.
On top of that, her wind manipulation overwhelmed most wind-affinity users.
If they actually fought, it wouldn’t just be defeat—it would shatter his pride.
The right choice was to avoid her at all costs, so he turned his head and ignored Martin.
“I think it’s time to head back now.”
“Got it.”
“Understood.”
Martin looked at Armand and Paolo, who were waiting.
As elders of their respective villages, the two would stay in the Adalbert family for a while to oversee the soon-to-open trading post.
Of course, they weren’t going alone.
Both Altair Village and Ranens Village had dispatched five elves and five dwarves each.
They would work at the trading post and also prepare supplies for their kin challenging the dungeons.
“I’ll talk to the Adventurer’s Guild as soon as we arrive. So there shouldn’t be any issues with elves and dwarves becoming adventurers.”
“No worries there. You’ll handle it perfectly, young master.”
“Please take good care of our people.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure they’re comfortable.”
Martin answered calmly.
Bartez and Alessandro nodded lightly.
Having lived long lives, they could sense it.
The sincerity embedded in his brief words.
“Then we’ll be off.”
With that, Armand picked up his staff and stamped it on the warp magic circle.
Flash!
Blue light enveloped everything, and Martin’s group, along with the elves and dwarves, vanished.
“I hope we can meet again soon…”
Solen prayed sincerely.
* * *
As soon as they returned to the Adalbert family, Martin met with Branch Chief Bayren.
To keep his promise.
“I have a task for you, Branch Chief Bayren.”
“Please tell me. Whatever the young master wishes, I’ll make it happen.”
“I knew I could count on you. It’s not that difficult. I brought some elves and dwarves this time—register them all as adventurers.”
“…Pardon?”
Bayren was genuinely flustered by the sudden request.
He questioned if he had heard right.
Just in case, he asked again.
“I’m so sorry, young master. Could you please repeat that?”
“What’s so hard about it? Register the elves and dwarves as adventurers. You have the authority over adventurers, right?”
“Hmm. You may not know this, young master, but… the guild has never recognized non-humans as adventurers before. Dungeons are human territory, after all.”
“I checked the Adventurer’s Guild regulations just in case. There’s nothing saying non-humans can’t become adventurers.”
Bayren couldn’t refute Martin’s counter.
The rulebook’s creators had assumed only humans would be adventurers.
Non-humans weren’t even considered, so there was no explicit ban.
That was now coming back to bite them.
“Y-You’re right. By the regulations, there’s no issue, but there’s no precedent. As the first case… if mishandled, it could put you in a politically difficult position, young master.”
“For example?”
“You’ve already shown favor to elves and dwarves by destroying the slave market.”
“That’s true.”
“Slavery being illegal, people could overlook that. But making them adventurers is different. It’s empowering non-humans, who are another threat to humanity, with your own hands. It’s bound to cause problems.”
“That might be so. But do you know this, Branch Chief Bayren? There’s something every citizen of the Empire, regardless of age or gender, assumes to be true. What is it?”
Bayren clamped his mouth shut at Martin’s words.
He knew the answer.
He just couldn’t say it.
The Adventurer’s Guild had to remain neutral in all political matters.
He couldn’t speak carelessly.
“There have been many imperial family competitions for the throne. Civil wars have broken out multiple times in the West. But the Three Great Families never interfered once. Just as the imperial family observes without meddling in their successor disputes.”
The imperial family and the Three Great Families never interfered with each other.
It was a principle upheld for a thousand years.
“But that’s broken now. The First Prince and the Ferdinand family are trying to steal power from our Adalbert and Klaus families. Meanwhile, the Klaus family is trying to secede from the Empire entirely.”
“The Empire’s founding emperor defeated the first heads of the Three Great Families to establish it a thousand years ago. Now, after all that time, the four great powers of the Empire are clashing again. Compared to something that huge, registering elves and dwarves as adventurers is no big deal, right?”
Bayren remained silent.
Martin continued calmly, not expecting an immediate reply.
“That’s not the only problem the Empire faces. Resentment over the thousand-year class system could erupt anytime. The elves and dwarves, driven to the continent’s fringes, are seething with rage too. With all that potentially exploding at once, do you think people will fuss over minor things?”
“Phew. Understood. I’ll register the elves and dwarves as adventurers per your wishes. But know this: due to the Crimson Emissary incident, some in the guild view you unfavorably.”
“What do I care about those gossips behind my back? Anyway, thank you, Branch Chief Bayren. I’ll take full responsibility, so don’t worry too much.”
“You don’t have to. I’m with you anyway, young master.”
“I’ll say it again. I’m glad I put my trust in you.”
“Thank you for the kind words.”
Bayren bowed politely.
Martin watched him with a pleased expression.
‘Perfect.’
Once elves and dwarves officially became adventurers, they could enter BAREhain City—and by extension, the Adalbert family—without issue.
No current imperial laws regulated them.
They were essentially legal mercenaries.
Selling elven and dwarven goods would generate immense wealth too.
‘But I need someone who can sell well.’
Fortunately, the perfect person was right by his side.
* * *
Shiver.
“What’s this?”
Kurt Steinhoff trembled from a sudden chill, feeling puzzled.
The room was warm with the furnace going, so why the chills?
Vowing to take better care of his health, he threw himself back into work.
But he couldn’t continue for long.