Chapter 361 – Deal (2)
Romer, who had lunged forward claiming he coveted the throne of the underworld and the dominion of Roafra.
The confidence with which he had boldly staked a bet was nowhere to be seen now, his head lowered ever so slightly as his eyes darted about.
Even though he had entered the chamber, he stuck close to the door, fidgeting awkwardly… judging from how much of his weight was loaded onto his heels, he looked ready to bolt at the slightest sign.
Verden stared straight at Romer.
"Are you just going to stand there?"
"N-no, I just came to get my artifact and then I'll be going…"
"If you have business, sit."
At that imposing invitation, Romer promptly sat across from him.
Cold sweat trickled down the back of his neck on its own.
He swallowed faintly, and rubbed at his eyelids with a hand.
The shoulder that had once been pierced by the Bone-Relic Dragon's bones throbbed with a sharp pain.
'Ah, I shouldn't have come.'
He had forced himself to come because he had been told the artifact would be returned if he visited later.
No matter what, he couldn't simply give up on something that rare and precious.
But now that he was actually facing him… countless scenarios suddenly raced through his mind.
───You believed that? Naïve fool. Die.
───No other artifacts? None? Then die.
───Hand over everything you've got. That's all? Then die.
Futile and miserable ends, that he had never once considered before, flashed through his mind.
Of course, it could all be excessive imagination.
But even if he wasn't killed, the situation was still bleak.
Even if they nitpicked that "later" didn't mean "now", he had no way to argue.
The ashen-haired man who had taken—no, half-forcedly borrowed—the artifact, was a monster.
Not only did he survive clashing with an Undead Transcendent, he even succeeded in the subjugation, as a Magus.
Even if he had several allies, it was still a ridiculous achievement all the same.
Romer had witnessed those transcendental sights up close.
Elemental magic, the likes of which he had never seen before.
It was as if destruction itself had taken shape, overwhelming and merciless.
Without doubt, his own shield technique would not last a moment against it, and not even a corpse of his would remain.
'Forget the Eastern Continent, Central Continent or whatever…!'
The gap between individuals was simply overwhelming.
Having lived in a world of survival of the fittest, Romer could feel it with his very skin.
The man before him was more powerful than anyone he had ever met.
At that moment, Verden opened subspace.
A familiar blue cube was placed atop the desk.
"This is the artifact [Arkeo] I borrowed. I'll return it."
"Ah, thank you───"
"But before that."
The hand Romer had hastily stretched out froze.
"I want to propose a transaction."
"A transaction, you say."
"Would you consider selling this artifact to me? I'll pay you properly."
He meant it literally.
Verden had no intention of haggling down the price, not in the slightest.
If Romer wished, he was even willing to add a premium on top.
After all, Romer had helped, albeit with Leira, to block the Bone-Relic Dragon's attacks while Verden was injured and unconscious.
It was a gesture of goodwill, in its own way.
However, Romer's response was less than enthusiastic.
"Ah, but money is, well, you see."
"What?"
"To be honest, money's something I can earn whenever I need it… but practical or cool artifacts, those are hard to come by, even with massive wealth…"
Romer muttered while scratching at his forehead.
Though cautious, he still said what he wanted. In an unexpected way, his core was firm.
Verden's brows narrowed slightly.
'So he doesn't want money. Then how.'
Even if he offered goods in place of cash, the problem was the same.
Judging by his words, the issue wasn't about monetary value to begin with.
Mentioning terms like "practical" and "cool" meant… whether it could be used in actual combat, or whether it suited his taste, determined if he was moved.
In other words, he wanted something useful to him.
"..."
The Lone Wolf, Romer.
A warrior skilled in sword and shield.
Especially, shield techniques were his specialty.
If Verden considered those traits, and among the items stored in subspace chose something that overlapped with them…
'Yes, that would work.'
Having reached a decision, Verden summoned the artifact [Floated].
A triangular piece of metal.
One of the weapons once used by the former king of the underworld, Grond.
For a brief instant, curiosity flickered across Romer's face.
"The name of this artifact is [Floated]. Simply put, it is a 'shield' that unites offense and defense."
"A shield?"
"Take a look."
Verden manipulated [Floated] at will.
Each corner separated.
They spread apart into a triangular formation, and a translucent barrier formed within.
Then, the fragments outside the barrier formation cut sharply through the air, and finally, by outputting force, even physically pushed something away.
Instant responsiveness, directly tied to the flow of thought.
That was [Floated]'s greatest advantage.
Of course, its shortcomings were clear.
The barrier was weak against sustained impacts, and it could not withstand magic of the 6th-tier or higher.
Its offensive force was also not particularly strong.
In short, in battles against overwhelmingly powerful beings, it was of little use.
Thus, to Verden, it was close to a white elephant.
But here and now, such trivialities seemed unimportant.
"Wow…"
Seeing the gleam in Romer's orange eyes, filled with fascination, made it clear.
Fwoong.
Verden gathered the fragments of [Floated] back together, and set them down before Romer.
"This, as a barter, seems not too bad. What do you think, Romer?"
The Lone Wolf shot to his feet.
"I'll trade! No, I'll trade it!!"
"Transaction complete. Then take it."
"Yes, sir!"
With the corners of his lips twitching, Romer swiftly snatched up Floated and hurried out the door.
As he strolled leisurely down the corridor, he discreetly manipulated [Floated].
Though clumsy at first, it moved somewhat according to his will.
Seeing the three metal fragments floating before his eyes, he felt something boiling within his chest.
A shield he could wield freely.
"…Cool."
It was far more impressive than [Arkeo].
And it even carried greater direct practicality.
Hya. Romer genuinely grinned wide, glad he had come to the Eastern Continent.
The nightmare of being battered endlessly in Southern Pit had long since vanished.
***
Archbishop Joseph, who had been in deep rest, finally awakened.
"Thank you for waiting. I overexerted myself, so there's not a single part of my body that doesn't ache. Back in the day, I was full of vigor, hahaha."
Though wrinkles still bore fatigue, his characteristic merciful voice and lofty presence had not dimmed in the least.
Even wearing the ordinary attire of the Church of Luas instead of his archbishop's robes damaged in battle, he remained the same.
And behind Joseph stood two paladins, Shane and Railver.
Among them, Shane's left arm, lost in the Lustrous crash, had now returned as if it had never been gone.
A miracle of light that could heal even bodily loss.
That was one of the reasons why the Seven Archbishops were so great.
Haldirn asked.
"You look rather weary. But if you called us without resting… does that mean you've completed the purification of the Bone-Relic Dragon's corpse?"
"The volume was not so great, fortunately, so I was able to finish it alone."
"Hm, you've worked hard."
"Haha, think nothing of it. Since the subject came up, let me show you all as well."
Joseph glanced back, and gave a nod.
Railver strode forward, dragging a huge chest. He opened the lid, and began laying out pure-white remains, one after another, atop the enormous desk.
Naturally, Verden, Adrian, Haldirn, Leira, and Bishop Lena all focused their gazes as one.
"It will be smaller than you imagined. Not only was the damage extensive, but due to the undead's bodily properties, much of it was dissolved during purification. Had it been a living dragon, we could have obtained its by-products intact…"
"In that case, we would all be dead."
Haldirn clanked his gauntlet, tapping the cleansed dragon bones.
Indeed, he was right.
If the Bone-Relic Dragon had not been undead, the Saint's miracle would never have worked effectively.
If one were to face a dragon that unleashed all its power without such limitations, even a Transcendent could not possibly handle it alone.
That was something Verden also acknowledged. Human history itself said as much.
"Even so, this is by no means a small amount. For the Church of Luas, for DarkWarton, and for individuals as well."
The reason Joseph had gathered everyone here was to divide the spoils.
The Church of Luas had taken on the role of distribution.
They had even sacrificed the Lustrous along with its relic.
Above all, if they had not summoned the Saint's miracle from the Western Continent, there would have been almost no chance of victory.
It was no exaggeration to say they had made the greatest contribution to the Bone-Relic Dragon's subjugation.
'Hmm…'
Verden quietly swept his gaze across the dragon's remains.
The ultimate material he had only ever heard of was now before his eyes.
But not all of it was the same. Each part had its own properties.
The spine and ribs were strong yet flexible, the leg bones were dense, and the claws and teeth bore sharpness that could tear even through magic.
'And among them, the skull is by far the greatest.'
Out of all the skeletal parts composing a dragon, it was overwhelmingly the most durable.
It had withstood the Saint's miracle, Verden's Supernova, and the losses caused by purification… and still retained its form.
Though its size had shrunk to about that of two grown men curled together.
'That will surely go to the Church of Luas.'
He felt no particular regret.
From the beginning, if not for Joseph, he would not even have had this opportunity, so it was only natural.
Verden was satisfied simply with the fact that he could obtain dragon bones at all.
But then.
"Asher, this share is yours."
Joseph promptly indicated the entire skull.
It was no mistake.
Verden, blinking briefly, asked.
"…Are you serious?"
"I saw you, standing alone before the Bone-Relic Dragon with Sacred at your back. Without your valor, countless lives would have been lost. His Holiness the Pope and the Saint have already given their approval, so please, accept it without reservation."
So, the Church State had already agreed.
"My congratulations, my lord."
Adrian sincerely conveyed his praise.
Leira, Haldirn, and Bishop Lena did the same.
There was not a single objection to the ownership of the skull.
Though Haldirn cast a slightly envious glance, as a man of magic, that was only natural.
In any case, Verden had but one choice now.
"I will not decline."
Excessive modesty and refusal were by no means virtues.
After that, the others were granted the right to choose from the dragon's bones.
It proceeded in the order of the Church of Luas, then DarkWarton, and Adrian and Leira divided their shares equally by mutual agreement.
Once ownership had been settled, Joseph handed two comparatively small dragon claws to Verden's party and to Leira.
"This is…"
"The payment promised back in Kailiens. I considered other options, but nothing was more fitting. Of course, if it displeases you, I can change it."
It was compensation for facing the Glory of the Dead.
Verden and Leira met each other's eyes, and at once shook their heads.
Dragon claws were more than enough.
Joseph gave a nod.
"With this, distribution is complete. Once we step outside, Sacred's incident will be made known to the entire continent. The names of Asher and Leira will spread far and wide as well. The problem, however, is the whereabouts of the dragon's materials."
The number of those who coveted dragon bones was beyond counting.
If word got out that some had been allotted to individuals, it was inevitable that unwanted guests would come knocking.
It could easily become a great nuisance.
"Therefore, officially, we will announce that all the materials are in the possession of the Church of Luas and DarkWarton."
"I agree."
Leira nodded gladly.
She was busy enough as it was, and had no desire to be chased all day.
Her gaze was fixed solely upon demons.
Then, Verden spoke.
"I agree as well, but in that regard, I have a request."
"Speak."
"Would it be possible to fabricate a merchant guild that does not actually exist, and publicly declare that some of the materials are being sold through them?"
"That is… yes, of course it is possible. In fact, the Church of Luas often uses proxies to raise funds. But a fictitious guild… are you perhaps planning to sell materials in secret?"
"Well, something like that."
Selling dragon materials he had just obtained? And as a Magus, no less?
Everyone tilted their heads, gazes filled with puzzlement. Adrian, too, reacted the same, since he had not heard anything of it.
Haldirn almost voiced that, if that were the case, DarkWarton would buy them instead… but he held his tongue.
It seemed there was another purpose.
Joseph stroked his chin in thought, then nodded.
"Hmm, very well. It is not a difficult request. Tell me the information about this fictitious guild later, and I will spread it to the world accordingly."
"Thank you, Archbishop."
The distribution of materials was settled, and payment resolved as well.
Just as the conversation was drawing to a close, Bishop Lena timidly raised her hand.
"Um, then… if it's not rude, may I ask why you called me here…?"
Bishop Lena had also worked diligently to protect Sacred and the people.
But compared to the others present, she was nearly an outsider.
She had no voice in matters concerning dragon bones… and could do little more than sit awkwardly.
Joseph offered a gentle smile.
"The reason I had you sit at this table, was to commend your efforts in front of everyone."
"Pardon?"
"From now on, you will be going to the Church State of Luas."
"…!!!"
From Kailiens to the Republic of Beldirn.
Through upheaval and desperate crises, Bishop Lena had not lost her exemplary conduct as a high bishop.
It was only right that she be rewarded.
"From now, you will undergo advanced training as a high bishop of the Church State. It will by no means be easy. So you may refuse, if you wish."
"N-no! I'll go! I very much want to go, Archbishop!"
"Good. From here on, you will be returning to the homeland with me."
Her pink eyes sparkled brightly, as she bit her lips.
The Church State. The very heart of the Church of Luas.
To be a high bishop at such a young age was already rare, but to rise further along such a path was extraordinary.
"Congratulations, Bishop Lena."
"Th-thank you… Lady Leira…!"
Just as Bishop Lena was overwhelmed with emotion,
"Ah, may I bring along a clergyman from Kailiens? He took very good care of me…"
A clergyman who had wholeheartedly supported her, even though she had only been newly assigned for a few months.
Though unavoidable, leaving him alone in Riverungr weighed heavily on her.
It was nothing but pure sincerity, free of calculation.
But to others, it sounded very different.
"Hooh."
Joseph's eyes gleamed with interest.
"To the Archbishop himself…"
"A bold request…?"
The paladins, Shane and Railver, widened their eyes.
"That woman, I always thought she wasn't all there, but I didn't expect it to be this bad, my lord."
"Indeed, bolder than she looks."
"That's not boldness, it's recklessness."
"Uh, this is a bit much…"
Adrian, Verden, Haldirn, and Leira, each voiced their impressions in turn.
Bishop Lena blinked blankly.
Then, realizing what her words implied, she panicked and stammered,
"I-I-I, I didn't, I mean, this isn't, a re-request or anything…!"
Unable to even string her words properly, she babbled incoherently.
Only when she was on the verge of bursting into tears did Joseph laugh it off.
"Hahaha, it was a joke, a joke. You will need an aide regardless. Normally, the archbishop chooses at will, but this time I shall grant you the privilege."
"Th-thank you…!!"
Bishop Lena slumped down with a sniffle, looking utterly drained in an instant.
Thus, the reward for the pitiful bishop was delivered as well.
"Asher, Haldirn, Lena, Leira, and the unnamed one. As one of the Seven Archbishops, I have conveyed all necessary matters. With this, I hereby declare this incident completely concluded."
Joseph rose to his feet.
"All of you, you have truly labored well."
***
The subjugation of the Glory of the Dead, who had operated in Kailiens and the Republic of Beldirn, was over.
The threat had not vanished entirely, but rooting them out was the duty of the Church of Luas and DarkWarton.
Verden once again began walking the path of vengeance alongside Adrian.
This time, with clearer direction.
Once he received the reward promised by Brillen chief councilor, he would depart the Eastern Continent.
The republic's airship to carry Verden and his party had not yet arrived.
It would likely come within days.
In the meantime, Verden encountered an acquaintance from not so long ago.
"I am truly glad to see you well, Lord Asher."
Geltone, who had been taught Multi-dimensional Continuity Theory by Verden, had come to visit.
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