Chapter 315 - Candidates (2)
The Ark conference is mostly composed of captains.
Depending on the matter, only elders or authority figures on the level of executives may attend.
People like Leira and Locke, who are merely candidates without sufficient authority, are not permitted to take part in the conference, nor even allowed to listen to the conversation.
Leira spoke as she walked.
"As I mentioned last time, the only thing candidates can directly be involved in is the exchange battle. Unless you're a newcomer candidate like Asher, there is no obligation for everyone to attend."
The world never goes as planned.
Even if the date of the Ark conference has been set in advance, sudden emergencies may occur, or one might find themselves unable to leave their post.
Everyone has their own circumstances.
The Ark imposes duties on candidates and aids their growth, but it does not oppress them.
For that reason, unlike the captains, who are compelled by duty, the candidates who only participate in the exchange battle are not forced to attend the conferences.
Verden tilted his head.
"I heard that candidates always need to prove themselves. If it's not an obligation, is there really a reason to take part in the exchange battle?"
"Of course. The exchange battle itself is essentially for the candidates. If you succeed in proving meaningful growth, then rewards that benefit you personally follow."
Leira pointed to her waist.
The sword, tinged with blood-red light. That was the price of proof.
"Not only that, the higher-ups also watch the exchange battle. If you manage to catch their eye, you might even receive a trial directly from a captain. Not common, of course. Besides that, you can also use the facilities of the Ark. There are many reasons."
Rewards through proof…
If that's the case, then the candidates had more than enough reason to participate.
Even without such rewards, simply having access to the Ark's library was a tremendous merit.
At least, to Verden, it was.
Locke stretched lightly as he walked, grinning.
"And, everyone also wants to prove their own strength. Honestly, it's not something you get to see often, right? Even if you don't step onto the stage yourself, you come to see others' strength, to learn and to experience."
The common trait of Ark candidates, a strong desire for improvement.
Without exception, each and every one strives to move forward, to grow further. There is not a single one who does not.
Those who stayed still had all died, or would die.
Enduring that was also a trial.
"Ah, still, there aren't many who are considered overwhelmingly strong, like Sister Leira or Brother Asher. Trials can be categorized, right? At the village level, the city level, or even the national level. The differences are pretty big."
Power is the absolute standard of the world, it is no exaggeration to say.
But the Ark is not a ruling force, it is an organization for humanity.
They evaluate not only individual strength, but also growth potential, humanity, leadership, ambition, and many other indicators when selecting candidates.
And they impose trials that match their current level of strength.
That raised a question.
"How do they even judge that?"
It is impossible to fully grasp a person's intentions.
And there's no way to firmly predict how their heart might change in the process.
"I don't know the details either, but… I've heard that one of the captains is in charge of that part. Am I right, Listener?"
"Haha, it is hard for me to explain in detail as well. All I can say is that he watches over the world…"
To look into the world.
'That goes beyond the level of magic. Then does that mean he owns some kind of ancient artifact with such power?'
It was not particularly surprising.
Even the very existence of the Ark beneath their feet was astonishing enough. Whatever the Ark was hiding, reacting too strongly to every single thing would be exhausting.
Verden shifted the topic.
"Then do almost all the candidates attend?"
"I've only experienced it three times so far, but from what I saw, about half of them attend. By number, that's not many. It's not like there are a great number of Ark candidates to begin with."
"The attendance rate is lower than I expected."
Listener nodded.
"That's because the cycle is once per year. Since greater rewards are given when the gap between past and present performance is larger, many prefer to prove themselves after several years of growth."
"Still, I believe this time will be much more crowded."
Taila, who had been quietly following along, added.
"That is because, starting with Lord Asher, both of the new candidates are attracting considerable attention."
She cast her gaze at Theon, who was walking behind.
"…Everyone knows that Gluttony is a traitor to the Ark. Everyone knows they are extremely dangerous. And now, the Doctor and the Fifth Fang of Gluttony have been subjugated, which is shocking enough. And then, the very person who achieved it is known to be attending the Ark conference, so it is natural that all eyes would turn to him."
It had not been intentional.
But it was a reason easy enough to accept. Soon after, Verden turned his eyes toward Listener.
"But I haven't heard anything about the other new candidate."
"I only found out yesterday myself, and I was going to tell you… but since Lord Asher did not come out, I had no chance. Ah, I mean no offense, really. In any case, I heard that he is a candidate from the Central Continent. And apparently, he has mastered a new kind of magic."
"A new kind of magic?"
Not only Verden, but everyone showed interest.
Theon and Taila were no exception.
Since they each dealt with the Western and Eastern continents, they were quite ignorant of the Central Continent.
"Ah, I don't know the details either. I asked out of curiosity, but all they said was, you'll see when the time comes. That's all. So if you go, you'll find out naturally. Probably."
Listener waved his hand as he led the way.
'…A new kind of magic.'
Even when Verden recalled his time at the Magic tower, he had never heard of such a thing.
That meant it had either been created recently, or it had been developed in secret without even the Magic tower knowing.
The Central Continent is the center of turmoil. For that reason, it was possible.
'Something else to look forward to.'
The unknown captain, and the other new candidate.
Verden was truly feeling that coming to the Ark was worth it.
***
The Ark conference begins in the massive fortress at the center of the Ark.
Until then, the candidates wait in their respective waiting rooms for the exchange battle to begin, then move through the pre-installed spatial teleportation circles.
'They use spatial magic everywhere here, something that's rarely seen.'
Would the world look like this if magic advanced even further?
Crossing space even in daily life… it was hard to imagine. No matter how one thought of it, it was certain such a thing could not exist in the current era.
That was Verden's personal view.
"For reference, only candidates may enter the waiting rooms. So we will wait outside. If you wish to depart right away, please step onto the teleportation circles prepared for each of you."
Listener respectfully pointed forward.
There, three magic circles shone for Verden, Leira, and Locke.
"See you later then, Brother Asher, Sister Leira!"
Locke headed to the waiting room first.
As the distinctive violet light flickered, his presence vanished completely, and the teleportation circle disappeared.
Next was Leira's turn.
"Another spatial teleportation… if nothing else, I really can't stand this part."
"You'll get used to it someday."
"I hope so. Mm, maybe it would have been different if I had walked the path of magic…"
So she hated motion sickness that much.
Verden had experienced it himself, but had never suffered to that extent, so it was hard for him to fully empathize.
"By the way, Asher, I have something to ask."
"Go ahead."
"Your companion… is he doing well in Riverungr?"
Before coming to the Ark, Leira had asked Adrian for a favor. Verden had already passed on this fact to her.
"I am sure he is."
One of the Central Continent's renowned experts.
His accumulated experience and skill were no lie.
"…Hearing you say it so confidently puts me at ease. If possible, I hope it's resolved quietly, without incident."
Leaving those words behind, Leira stepped onto the teleportation circle.
Light of magic power and attributes burst forth, and she vanished as well.
"Quietly… that, I can't promise."
Verden muttered belatedly as he moved forward.
The teleportation circle activated in the same way.
Entrusting his body to the flow of magic power, he shifted through space.
***
Trolin Mesmore, the aide of Mayor Trovren of Riverungr.
For over ten years, he had served and supported the mayor, who occasionally suffered from anxiety, handling countless affairs.
Legal work, of course, but also matters on the edge of law, or outright illegal — he never refused. It was not simply because of pure loyalty.
As the one overseeing the situation, there were plenty of profits that stuck to his hands. He even made sure to process them carefully enough that even if he consumed them carelessly, there would be no trouble.
In just a few years, his clothes, his home, his private life, all became exceedingly lavish.
Deputy of the mayor.
Wearing that title, most of the city looked up to him. The life of a man of power was endlessly sweet.
Today was the same.
A private meeting with the guild master of adventurers.
It was a periodic meeting, continuing for months. Each time, they had long discussions about the handling of demi-human corpses or deceased adventurers.
And all he had to do was hand over the promised profits, while being flattered and entertained by the guild master.
Still, just in case, he had brought three knights and two mages as escorts.
Of course, outwardly disguised to appear as adventurers or mercenaries. Because of that, they were not fully equipped, but their skill was unchanged.
'Th-Then why did this happen?'
Every escort he brought had been subdued.
No, it would be more accurate to say they had been utterly destroyed. Even the guild master, who had skills equal to a knight, was taken down in the blink of an eye.
And yet, he had not even seen who the culprit was.
The same was true for himself, the only one left unscathed. All he knew was the cold blade pressed to his back, and the chilling voice.
Yes.
Aide Trolin had been abducted.
A large ship floating on the Hefin River.
Trolin, having slipped past the guards, entered the vessel.
Then, a voice came from behind.
"This is where the demi-human corpses are stored?"
"Y-Yes, that's right…!"
From the shadows, Adrian stepped out, surveying the surroundings.
Still pressing Aide Trolin forward, he slowly examined the interior, the lantern on the wall behind him casting light as he looked deeper in, where something massive was covered by a cloth.
A magical item used by the Adventurer Guild to store corpses.
Adrian carefully pulled the cloth aside.
A pungent stench of rotting flesh filled the air, and the corpse of a demi-human was revealed.
'An Ogre.'
There were slashing wounds around the neck and limbs.
From the cut surfaces and traces of blood, it was clear they had occurred during subjugation.
Adrian asked,
"Who do you trade these demi-human corpses with?"
"I-I don't know. That's something the mayor personally handles…! The only thing I'm in charge of is the deal with the guild master…!"
His voice trembled along with his body.
It didn't seem like he was lying.
'But he's hiding something.'
And what could that be?
Adrian sharpened his sight and examined the Ogre closely. At that moment, he discovered a long, faint line running from its chest down to its lower belly.
'A mark of being cut open and stitched back together.'
Without hesitation, Adrian swung the dagger.
It was a weapon taken from one of the aide's escorts. The sharp slash traced the line precisely, splitting the tough skin apart.
Adrian lifted the interior with the blade's tip.
"..."
Inside was a person.
The naked body of a dead man.
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