Chapter 464 – Migration (1)
A low warning still lingered in his mind.
As always, Serlo's hands and feet were free, but it was as if heavy shackles had been fastened onto his soul, making it impossible for him to leave Medilon.
'How could that be.'
Even if there were some extraordinary means to immediately escape the Ownerless Land, it would be useless.
He had dared to forcibly expose the identity of a Transcendent in disguise.
With Serlo's abilities, enduring such a murderous pursuit was impossible. The fact that he had once been a top-ranked adventurer did not help in the slightest.
That was what a Transcendent was.
Thus, Serlo tried to set aside his complicated feelings and accept the situation.
"Would it be possible to rent this inn itself?"
"…Pardon?"
He rented out an entire spacious inn located in a corner of the Medilon Mediation Zone. It was a building with good views, quiet surroundings, and a clean interior.
The innkeeper blinked repeatedly at the unexpected proposal, but for a broker like Serlo, such a deal was as simple as breathing.
If he added a premium on top of it, even time could be dramatically shortened.
Tap, tap, screeech.
Having become the temporary owner of the inn, Serlo entered the most expensive room at the very top floor, setting up the table and chairs.
He had finished preparing to welcome the guest who could arrive at any time, and who would likely appear very soon.
After rummaging through the kitchen, he even prepared the finest iced tea suited for the season, though he was still hesitating over the choice of sweets when it happened.
"…!"
A surge of powerful magic erupted.
With shimmering haze, a violet light burst forth, and from the empty air appeared a Transcendent with ashen hair.
'Spatial magic…!!'
He had heard that the divinity of the Eastern Continent was a master of elemental magic, classified under the natural system.
But to think, not only had he stepped into the realm of Transcendence, he was freely wielding even the highest attribute, the spatial system—such a thing had been beyond imagination.
'Just how much is the world underestimating him.'
Indeed, if he had acted insane and attempted an escape, he would have been caught before the day was over.
Without hesitation, Serlo bowed his head.
"Welcome, the…"
"Call me Asher. The surroundings are quiet, did you rent out the entire inn?"
"Yes, Sir Asher. I thought you might prefer it this way…"
"Not bad. Sit down."
The Transcendent of Destruction and the broker sat facing one another.
Verden, naturally sipping at the tea that had been prepared, looked down at his counterpart.
That alone made Serlo feel as though he was being crushed under an invisible giant boulder.
Up until today, Serlo had seen a total of three Transcendents in his lifetime, and this was only the second time he was experiencing their power at such close range.
Verden asked.
"Where are you from?"
"In my youth, I worked as an adventurer."
At the question about his past, Serlo replied with unvarnished truth.
"Your rank."
"Obsidian Rank."
"No wonder you were strong, so you were once part of the Adventurer Guild's top force. You were more of a big shot than I thought."
Should he be glad to have his strength praised by a Transcendent, or laugh at being called a big shot by one?
Serlo did not know, so he spoke only in a self-mocking tone.
"Even so, Obsidian Rank was nothing more than its edge. Compared to other Obsidian adventurers, I was insignificant. I recognized my limits, and retired about four years after promotion."
"And a Transcendent was the cause, wasn't it."
"…I merely realized there exists a realm that no number of reincarnations could ever reach. That that was the true world."
"Rational. A mindset I cannot favor, but, it seems your tongue has loosened enough. Let us end the small talk here."
Verden fixed his gaze on Serlo.
"I never expected the Competitive War's finale to be neat. But I did not think you would be bold enough to slaughter all of the Eastern Great Lords."
"I, I had no direct involvement in their deaths."
"Even so, you know everything, don't you."
He set down his teacup on the table.
"From the circumstances, it is not likely the Southern Alliance acted independently. Who else is involved."
Serlo did not conceal his thoughts.
"The magic towers… No, to be more precise, I should say it differently. This is deeply connected to the current state of the magic world."
"The magic world, you say."
A glimmer of interest flickered in Verden's blue eyes.
Serlo felt a small sense of relief that he had managed to draw the Transcendent's interest.
***
The Ownerless Land, by its nature, never allowed a power to last long.
Division and betrayal, the change of heart of patrons, usurpation by new powers… these uncertainties always carried possibility.
Yet the power structure of East, West, and South had lasted for quite a long time.
This was a very rare case.
Each force maintained authority in entirely different ways.
The Southern Alliance, with Gideon as its fulcrum, utilized an external balance by recruiting as many patrons from outside as possible.
The Eastern Great Lords, by offering enormous tribute to certain magic towers and nations, secured real power.
"In that sense, the West belongs to a peculiar category even historically. The Sovereign, unlike the others, does not form alliances among lords, nor does he accept patronage. He insists on trading with patrons as equals, and thus rules the West as a genuine, sole ruler, as though he were a true king."
Verden already knew somewhat how the Sovereign 'ruled' the West.
Partly through the intelligence of the Society, but also out of personal interest.
"Of course, with the birth of the North, this long-standing balance was broken. But the massacre of the Great Lords of the East is entirely separate from the North's emergence. Though the Competitive War was adopted only recently, its starting point goes back several years."
"Details."
"It was three factors that allowed the South to overturn the East. I shall explain them in order."
Verden lifted the teapot with
"…Thank you."
Serlo cautiously wetted his throat, and continued explaining.
***
Even in the Ownerless Land, there was such a thing as rhythm.
War could not endlessly repeat until it became a constant pandemonium. Nor could the residents be exploited to excess.
There was a reason why the rulers of the Ownerless Land were referred to as lords. A lord had to know how to run his territory.
"The annual deaths in the Ownerless Land are beyond describing as merely 'many', yet extinction is still a far-off matter. With a little management, the population can grow easily."
The footsteps of those with ambition across the continent never ceased. The residents knew how to accept newcomers and continue living.
And no matter how barren their homeland was, far more people did not leave than those who did.
They might die on the journey, and even if they managed to settle elsewhere, no better life was promised.
Instead, there was always the anxiety that things could be worse than now.
In such ways, the economy of the Ownerless Land revived, and children were born.
"But the East has long been on the decline. In fact, the total profits that the Great Lords delivered to their patrons… the magic towers… fluctuated, and over the past few years have significantly decreased. Even that was only by squeezing every drop from what they had. So when I said at the conference hall that the East was rotten, it was the truth."
Serlo raised his fist, then extended his index finger straight.
"That is the first factor, the surface reason."
Next, he extended his middle finger.
"The second factor is the very state of the magic world I just mentioned. As you know, the runaway power source incident of the Bohemirn Magic Tower two years ago, and the war… the Black Hour, shook the entire tower system. Recently, the death of the Diamoon tower master occurred as well."
"..."
"But instability can also act as new opportunity. Though their comprehensive ranks were 4th and 7th respectively, the Bohemirn Magic Tower and Diamoon Magic Tower held 2nd and 5th in military power. As these two have faltered, it is highly probable the rankings will soon shift. For that reason, the towers striving for higher rank are secretly gathering strength in their own ways."
Verden narrowed his eyes.
"The magic towers are preparing for war, is that what you mean?"
"Mm… I do not believe the flames will spread to the level of war. With the situation changing so rapidly, the stronger meaning is, conserve power while sharpening claws."
That was probably the case.
Since the anti-tower force, the Society, had not separately delivered any report, the current situation was likely not so severe.
'The details will have to wait and see, though.'
Verden folded his arms, crossed his legs, and leaned back against the chair.
Serlo wetted his dry lips.
"Of course, there may be skirmishes here and there, but the highest-ranked towers remain aloof, so, as it has been until now, it will only remain as under-the-surface territorial disputes. At any rate. For that reason, the Volcano Island Tower and the Larrian Tower, which were the biggest patrons of the East, are also trying to conserve strength. So, the East, which was becoming less and less profitable, must have become bothersome to them."
Now Serlo's right hand had only the little finger and thumb folded.
"Lastly, the third factor. From long ago, the Southern Alliance had considered the Eastern Great Lords as a thorn in the eye, and as political adversaries, and so they secretly plotted. Quietly inserting their own men into the East one by one, and if needed, they did not hesitate at assassination or bribery."
"So that was the true nature of the Eastern rebels."
"Correct."
Serlo admitted.
"The knights who joined the rebellion had no notion of justice for the rotten East, their sole purpose was to seize the Great Lords' power. The Great Warrior as well was promised enormous profits. No, perhaps it is better said as rights rather than profits."
"Rights?"
"That is… they were promised a baron-level territory from the South, with the condition that it did not matter what they did to the inhabitants."
"A foul taste."
Verden showed displeasure as though it was ridiculous.
Serlo, who was beginning to get a sense of what this Transcendent generally disliked, cautiously opened his mouth.
"…So then. The Southern Alliance, by combining the three factors mentioned above, and adding the variables of the Diamoon Tower incident revealing the location of a large mine, and the birth of the North──conceived the Eastern reconstruction plan called the 'Competitive War'."
Serlo drew in a deep breath.
"First, Gideon of the South met with the masters of the Volcano Island Tower and Larrian Tower, forces that were significant patrons of the East, and purchased with money the rights. The rights that no matter what happened in the East, the two towers would not interfere."
"So the towers sold the East."
"Indeed. They were already reconsidering their patronage of the East, and so, using that as an excuse, they earned a vast fortune. Moreover, the Volcano Island Tower even dispatched Elder Melconi, who collected the massive sum that the Great Lords had given, in a single lump payment."
Taking money from the South, and again from the East which they abandoned.
It was truly like the magic towers, endlessly squeezing profit.
"After that, the Southern Alliance, while everyone's attention was fixed on the Competitive War, not only had the Eastern rebels, but also hired the Black Beast to prepare the stage."
"The Black Beast… one of the Central Continent's Big Four?"
"Yes, as a beastman, he stood in the same line as the Sovereign, the Eye of the Great Forest, and the Terror of the Battlefield. Since the disappearance of the Heavenly Sword, he became the new Big Four, a relatively fresh powerhouse."
The Heavenly Sword.
Even though Adrian's epithet was mentioned, Verden showed no sign of reaction.
"If the East had won as anticipated, they intended to immediately kill all of the Great Lords and annul the contracts, but…"
"The North interfered."
"Still, the plan was not withdrawn. After the East was eliminated from the Competitive War, the South moved, and achieved their aim without mishap."
The Eastern rebels and the Black Beast slaughtered the Great Lords along with their knights and closest retainers.
Since they had gathered in the conference hall due to the Competitive War's defeat, it was simple.
"After that was my turn. I, as the representative of the Eastern rebels, came forward… and with negotiations with the North, arbitrarily altered the Competitive War's contract. To retrieve the South's investments, and, if possible, to nullify the contract entirely, and reclaim the large mine through war."
It seemed the South had put in quite some effort.
Not only offering the large mine as bait, but also paying the hiring fee for the Black Beast and Serlo, investing secretly in the foundation of the Eastern rebels, and the price for stripping the East of the protection of two towers.
The financial bleeding must have been enormous.
"Does the West also know of this?"
"Before the Competitive War was announced, the South asked the West to join hands, but the Sovereign decided to observe. Such methods are not the Sovereign's way. The South, knowing what decision the Sovereign would make, extended the offer."
The West merely observed.
Unlike the South, there was at least some justification for leniency.
Verden tilted his head.
"If the North had rejected your proposal, what would you have done?"
"The North would have been…"
Gulp.
"…attacked massively by adding the Eastern rebels, including the Great Warrior, and, gathering the mages of the magic world who have gradually revealed themselves due to the recent upheaval of the tower system. Not by direct confrontation, but to cause maximum damage. To civilians, primarily."
Serlo hurriedly added words.
"Of course, of course, I would never be the one to lead it. I am merely a former adventurer, a broker. Only acting as a mediator between deals."
Silence fell.
The sound of cold sweat dripping to the floor pierced his ears.
Then Verden spoke.
"The mages of the magic world you just mentioned. Among them, are there any usable ones?"
"Usable, you mean…"
"Reusable, at least."
Serlo immediately conjured candidates in his mind.
"Th-there are, a few. Even among the criminals of the magic world, not all are trash, and there are reclusive mages who have never stepped forward as well."
"Then select them."
"…Pardon?"
"And from now on, you will personally lead the new East. Act as though today's conference never happened, act as if you are faithfully executing the deal with the South, and reclaiming the large mine by other means."
"Y-you mean…"
"Of course, it does not mean you will remain in charge of the new East to the end."
Verden declared.
"The East belongs to me."
The Transcendent revealed part of his true intention.
"So you will prepare it for me to take more easily. Do you understand, Serlo Broden?"
There was no option of refusal.
"…I understand."
Serlo bowed deeply.
His body trembled.
He did not wish to know what this Transcendent intended to do with the Ownerless Land, which had been created by the needs of the world.
***
The large composite mine, located in the conflict zone and owned by the Southern Alliance, had been left empty, development halted midway.
Now, only those who had become the new owners could enter.
After Verden's group entered the half-built tunnels, they proceeded slowly inward until they reached the inner cavern.
"This should be enough."
Verden invoked the function of [Ainber].
Beyond the violet space that illuminated the darkness, dwarves soon appeared.
"Oh, this looks pretty nice, Master?"
"What do you mean nice. It's just barely liveable, that's all."
Linus marveled, while Gharun glanced aside pretending not to.
"So this is our new home…"
The village chief, Geradin, gazed blankly.
The group of about two hundred dwarves who followed showed similar reactions. They did not make noise, only let out subdued exclamations.
Unia's eyes brimmed with curiosity as she looked at the dwarves. It was her first time seeing their race.
"So that's why you asked me about dwarves the other time? I thought you weren't coming back until the Competitive War ended, but you even went to the Western Continent in that time… And what is this spatial movement, Senior?"
The fact that Verden had awakened as a Transcendent, and the changes that came with it, were kept secret from the Society.
'Now that I have even crafted the staff, I plan to gradually reveal it, to catch the Black Hour.'
Verden spoke.
"I'll explain in detail when the chance comes. In any case, from now on, this mine will be the dwarves' dwelling."
"I know, I know. Your magic circle and the Society's mages will guard the mine's exterior. I already heard all that. What we want to know is this."
Unia's eyes sparkled as she grabbed Verden's robe.
"When you say dwarves, it means that, right? New weapons! New staffs! Artifacts! There's no way you disappeared all this time just to migrate a dwarf village here."
"..."
"You made something, right? Show us!"
As expected, sharp-eyed.
Looking around, Adrian, Isabella, Cain, and Heras all showed similar reactions.
Alpha was busy scanning the large mine as he roamed.
"…Fine."
Verden opened his subspace.
Whoosh.
Interis, exuding a faint blue glow from its orb, revealed its majesty.
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