Volume 8
Chapter 13
The council that determined the course of Arcazam. There, the influential figures of the academy city, including the chairman Haibao Foka, were proceeding with the day's agenda.
Neither Chairman
Haibao nor the council members raised their voices, proceeding with the agenda
in an exceedingly calm manner.
The Arcazam council
chamber was shaped like a circular staircase, with the chairman's seat at the
very top in the back center. Below the chairman were clerks and other
administrative staff, and the council members' seats were arranged to face the
center of the chamber.
Furthermore, spectator
seats were set up to surround the council members' seats, and in one corner of
those spectator seats was the figure of Victor.
The current Victor was
not even an advisor, but in the position of an audience member.
After all, it was the
council and the members participating in it who decided the future of Arcazam.
Originally, he himself
had no authority to give an opinion in this council, nor was there an
opportunity to state one.
However, the presence
that Victor possessed was still great, and even as the proceedings went on
calmly, several of the council members would furtively glance at Victor.
"Well then, the
allocation of accommodation facilities for each country will be as usual. Next
is..."
The current agenda
was, as expected, a matter concerning the opening festival. However, since the
opening festival itself had already been held nearly ten times this year, the
content was almost the same as in previous years.
Of course, there were
other matters on the agenda besides the opening festival, but there were almost
none that required special urgency.
That was largely
because Jihad, leading "Starlight," had captured all the spies who
had been hiding in Arcazam at once.
The agenda proceeded
as scheduled. However, that peace was about to be broken by a person who
suddenly burst into the council chamber.
"Excuse me."
The one who had
suddenly burst in was a tall man, nearly two meters tall, dressed in black
attire reminiscent of a military uniform. From the wrinkles carved into his
face, his age was in his mid-forties.
The council members
who saw that person all had surprised expressions.
Egurodo Fabran. One of
the most prestigious nobles in the country of Forsina.
His physique, which
had entered the prime of his life, was even larger than Jihad's, and his hard
eyes were reminiscent of a soldier's.
"This discussion,
may I also be allowed to listen?"
"Lord Egurodo,
you have already come to Arcazam?"
"Yes, in time for
the opening festival. So, Chairman, may I be permitted to observe?"
"Yes, I do not
mind."
"Thank you very
much."
Egurodo bowed politely
to the chairman and sat down in the spectator seats set up in a corner of the
council chamber.
At Egurodo's sudden
visit, the inside of the council chamber was enveloped in a slight murmur.
Several of the council
members were looking at Egurodo, who was sitting at the edge of the council
chamber, with suspicious expressions, but the man himself was just staring
intently at a certain point.
"..."
"..."
At the end of
Egurodo's gaze was Victor, a great noble of the same country and his political
enemy.
Without a word, only
their crossing gazes were scattering quiet sparks.
On the other hand, the
chairman, Haibao, paid no mind to the quiet clash of the two great nobles and
proceeded with the proceedings calmly.
"Well then, let
us continue. Item thirty-two, a progress report on the Abyss Grief and parasite
investigation."
The next agenda item
was an exception within the regular proceedings.
Abyss Grief.
An unidentified
demonic beast that was discovered in this city a few months ago.
There were several
sightings ten years ago as well, and it was an existence that was thought to
have some kind of connection with the great invasion.
Initially, the
discovered Abyss Grief had already been subjugated, and its corpse had been
recovered and was being investigated by the Gloaurum Institute, Arcazam's
research institution.
However, about two
months ago, the Abyss Grief, which should have been dead during an experiment,
had suddenly revived. It had destroyed one laboratory room and had tried to
escape after injuring a military police officer who was on guard.
This commotion was
temporarily settled by Jihad Raundel, who was in command of the guard,
subjugating the revived demonic beast, but after that, the demonic beast in
question had revived again by parasitizing the body of the injured military
police officer.
In the end, it had
merged with a student of Solminati Academy, Ken Notice, but had been subjugated
again and had been annihilated.
Although this incident
had been officially treated as an assault by a single student, it had continued
to have various effects in various places after that.
At one point, the
possibility of the reorganization of Arcazam had even surfaced, but with the
full disclosure of all the information found about Abyss Grief, the capture of
spies by Jihad, and the mediation of Victor, it had been temporarily calmed
down.
However, regarding
this matter, opinions were divided between the elimination faction and the
sealing faction on the recovered specimen, and it was a content that was still
being debated among the council members.
"This matter will
be explained directly by the person in charge. Mr. Torgrain, please."
"Yes,
understood."
In response to the
chairman's voice, a gentle-looking man with glasses stepped forward. Torgrain
was a teacher at Solminati Academy and an excellent alchemist who also
conducted research at the Gloaurum Institute.
"Regarding the
information about Abyss Grief that has been found out through the current
investigation, it has already been confirmed, without even needing to analyze
the bodies of the two recovered individuals, that the elemental essence
possessed by Abyss Grief had an effect on the bodies of the subjects.
However, there is a
clear difference between the changes in both."
According to Jihad's
report, the parasitized military police officer's physical strength had been
unbelievably enhanced, but his ego had completely collapsed, and his instincts
had been laid bare like a beast.
On the other hand, as
for Ken Notice, not only had his body been strengthened, but he had also
undergone an out-of-the-ordinary transformation, such as deploying a barrier
that would absorb the opponent at the soul level, and regenerating even when
his upper body was bisected.
Furthermore, in Ken's
case, it has also been reported that he had temporarily regained his intellect
in the midst of battle. Compared to the previously parasitized military police
officer, it was clearly a different kind of change.
"We compared the
physical strength of the two who had changed, and Ken Notice's was far more
robust. The problem is why such a difference occurred, despite the fact that
they had been parasitized by the same organism."
"So, what is your
opinion, Mr. Torgrain?"
"Both were young
men, and neither had any congenital diseases.
Also, considering that
Abyss Grief has properties similar to a spirit, it is inferred that the
deciding factor is probably not just a physical one."
"So, what does
that mean?"
"The quality of
the soul of the one being parasitized, or to be precise, it is thought to be
extremely influenced by the mental state of the target of the parasitism."
In investigating the
effects of Abyss Grief parasitism, Torgrain had, of course, also conducted a
background check on the two who had been parasitized.
And from the
investigations so far, it has been found that Abyss Grief has properties
similar to a spirit.
"Spirits are more
strongly influenced by things like the mind, magic power, and elemental essence.
The reason Abyss Grief chose him as its host was probably because the mental
state of Ken Notice, who was in a cornered position, was convenient for
parasitism."
"As a result, his
heart's gap was exploited by the demonic beast, and he transformed into
something inhuman..."
At Haibao's soliloquy,
Torgrain gave a small nod.
Ken, who had been
cornered by the Nozomu Bountis he had framed, and whose mental gap had been
exploited, had his soul and even his body merge with Abyss Grief, and as a
result, he was no longer human.
Something inhuman. To
describe Ken's current state, there might be no better words.
"But Abyss Grief
is an existence with a physical body. Even if it parasitizes and transforms, it
is hard to think that the person's mental state is the only factor..."
"Regarding that
point, there was a discovery that could be considered the cause. When we
examined the body of Ken Notice, we found traces of an inscription so fine that
it was invisible to the naked eye."
"An
inscription?"
"Yes. Although
the details are still unknown, it is thought that an inscription completely
different from existing formulas is densely carved all over the body of Ken
Notice, so finely that it cannot be confirmed with the naked eye.
It is inferred that
this curse inscription probably also extends into the body.
On the other hand, the
body of the ashen military police officer had completely collapsed, and the
confirmation of the inscription was not possible.
My guess is that the
body itself could not withstand this 'curse inscription'..."
"Then, does that
mean that only a strong person who can withstand the curse inscription can
awaken as Abyss Grief..."
If you think about it
that way, it would explain why Abyss Grief was hardly ever found during the
great invasion.
Because unless one was
a strong person of a certain level, they would not be able to withstand the
change and would be annihilated.
"Are there any
countermeasures?"
"There are
several that can be considered. First, a method of erasing the curse
inscription itself with a great deal of magic power. Another is a method of
cutting off the affected part before the curse inscription infects the whole
body."
The problem was the
point that it was unknown how much magic power was needed to wash away the
curse inscription.
Furthermore, when Ken
Notice had changed, the parasite had taken the form of directly burrowing into
his body.
According to
Torgrain's explanation, the troublesome point was that if the Abyss Grief main
body that emitted the curse inscription were to infiltrate into the
body, both purification and removal would be difficult.
However, if the cause
was known, there was a way to deal with it, and unnecessary confusion could
also be avoided.
For Jihad, just
knowing that was a godsend.
"Understood. So,
what is the state of Ken Notice?"
"Currently, he is
isolated on the lowest floor of the Gloaurum Institute so as not to be affected
by magic power, and is physically sealed. At present, there are no noticeable
changes."
"Understood.
Regarding this matter, I would like to ask for everyone's opinion on whether to
continue the investigation as it is or not."
Haibao urged the
council members to vote.
The first to raise his
voice was a council member from the elimination faction. He slammed the table
with a bang and raised his voice while standing up from his chair.
"I am against it.
There is no guarantee that it will not revive again. It should be disposed of
immediately!"
As if to agree with
his strong opinion, the council members of the elimination faction raised their
voices in agreement.
"That's right.
The previous incident was still able to be settled peacefully, but if the same
thing were to happen again and cause great damage to the populace, it would be
irreversible this time."
"If that were to
happen, our dismissal would be certain. Everyone here would be sent back to
their home countries and would be held accountable, and above all, it would be
questionable whether this Arcazam could continue to exist."
While the council
members of the elimination faction were raising their voices, the council
members of the sealing faction were also throwing their own opinions at the
elimination faction.
"However, it is
also a fact that the research on Abyss Grief is progressing thanks to this
specimen. To dispose of it so quickly, I wonder if that is a good idea..."
"In particular,
the existence of Ken Notice, who is in symbiosis with Abyss Grief, is valuable.
If things go well, we might find a way to control that demonic beast."
"In the first
place, it is an existence that can revive even from a state of ash, you know?
Even if you say dispose of it, what do you intend to do?"
"Nuu... However,
it is always the case that we do not know what will happen. If that demonic
beast were to revive again, is there a guarantee that it can be surely finished
off again?"
"Th-That
is..."
The sealing faction
began to be pushed back by the opinion of the elimination faction.
"Mr. Torgrain, what
do you think about that? Is there a possibility that Abyss Grief will revive
through the body of Ken Notice?"
"I cannot say for
sure. However, the reason Abyss Grief revived in the previous experiment was
probably because of this curse inscription. It is unlikely that it will revive
from the corpse of the military police officer, where the inscription is
thought to have been completely destroyed.
As for Ken Notice,
since we have thoroughly eliminated the magic power and have physically sealed
him, it is thought that the possibility of him reviving is also extremely low.
The cause of the
previous revival is thought to be that we had directly poured magic power into
the corpse where the inscription remained, and the curse inscription that
remained on the corpse had reacted. As a result, it had stimulated the survival
instinct of Abyss Grief."
"Hmm..."
"In my opinion, a
countermeasure against that existence is necessary. However, the danger must be
minimized.
Then, is there no
other choice but to continue the research while keeping the contact with the
subject to a minimum, with the highest level of sealing as before?"
After that, various
opinions came out, but no useful ones seemed to appear.
In the end, the result
of the vote was to maintain the status quo and see how things go.
"Then, regarding
item thirty-two, we will maintain the status quo. Mr. Torgrain, thank you very
much. Well then, on to the next item..."
Once one item was
taken care of, it was on to the next.
The problems that
Arcazam was facing were many.
Chairman Haibao
proceeded with the proceedings calmly.
***
"Wait, weathercock1."
The council had
closed, and Victor, who was walking down the hallway of the council chamber,
stopped at the grating voice.
When he turned around,
the spectator who had burst into the council halfway through was standing
there.
"What do you need,
big guy? I am busy right now."
"What, you have
time to have a little chat with a 'classmate' who studied in the same school,
don't you? Or are you busy because the 'payment of your debt' is overdue?"
Victor and Egurodo
were starting off with sarcasm from the very beginning.
The atmosphere between
the two was hostile.
It was a scene like
two people smiling at a dinner party, while kicking each other under the table.
"Debt?
Unfortunately, my house is large, so there are minor debts, but the payment of
the debts that I myself am shouldering is going smoothly."
"Smoothly, even
without paying a single coin for three hundred years? What a sleepy
rooster."
Three hundred years.
Hearing those words, Victor's eyebrows twitched.
Although he was
wrapping it in a veil so that it would not be easily understood even if a third
party were to hear it, it clearly meant the secret pact with the Wajiart
family.
On the other hand,
Victor, although he frowned slightly, did not break his nonchalant tone and
quietly began to counterattack.
"You yourself, to
come to this Arcazam leading your own knights, you have done quite a rash
thing. It seems your rash actions of scattering the seeds of unnecessary
trouble have not changed since your student days."
"You mean the Iron
Skeleton Knights? They are just guards. I have many political enemies, you see.
By the way, the
council of this city is not very meaningful either. With that demonic beast and
all, they are too behind on everything."
The Iron Skeleton
Knights were the knights who served the Fabran family, and although they were
not large in scale, they were quite an elite knightly order, and a fine army.
Of course, that alone
was not a force that could start a war with Arcazam or other countries and win,
but in Arcazam, which was maintained while the powers of various countries were
in a state of equilibrium, there was a possibility that it would become a factor
in stimulating the various powers.
"It's better than
a villainous brat who playfully increases the number of sparks. That's why
Filana didn't even look at you."
"What is the pied
piper who leads people to their deaths with sweet words saying? How many of our
people do you think were groaning ten years ago because of you?"
The great invasion of
ten years ago. Although Victor had made an effort to send reinforcements as
quickly as possible at that time, there had of course also been opposition from
both within and outside the country.
The army of one's own
country crossing the border. Whether in peacetime or in an emergency, it was an
action that would undoubtedly be taken as a declaration of war.
Furthermore, the
formation, advance, maintenance, and reward of the army, all of them cost an
enormous amount of money.
Victor had eliminated
those oppositions using all sorts of means.
He had explained the
righteousness and the logic, had deceived with sweet words, had made them nod
with bribes, and sometimes, he had threatened.
Weathercock1, pied piper, these
nicknames were the derogatory terms that those who had continued to oppose him
had given to the figure of Victor, who had gone around persuading the various
powers.
"A bronze statue
that won't move at a crucial time can also open its mouth, huh?"
"Ten years ago, I
couldn't move simply because my foolish father was the head of the family. It's
different now. I will not let you tilt the country with your sweet words again."
The head of the Fabran
family ten years ago, that is, Egurodo's father, had cooperated in the
formation of the expeditionary force proposed by the Francilt family and had
provided troops, supplies, and funds.
Regardless of the
Fabran family, as a result of other families also eventually cooperating in the
formation of this expeditionary force, the country of Forsina had been able to
rush to the battlefield where the demonic beasts had invaded first and had come
to raise its fame, but at the same time, it had also come to shoulder a large
debt and economic loss.
That loss was by no
means small, and it was still a source of gloom for the country of Forsina.
"My lord, the
carriage is ready."
At that moment, Mena,
Victor's personal maid, cut into the conversation between the two.
For a mere maid to cut
into the conversation of high-ranking nobles was an unforgivable, rude act. But
Egurodo, who had seen Mena, did not show any signs of reprimanding her.
"Mena, it has
been a while."
"It has been a
long time, Lord Fabran."
The reason he had not
reprimanded her was only one. These two, like Victor, were classmates from the
noble school and were old acquaintances.
"Are you still
serving this weathercock1?
A knight like you could also be active in our knightly order. It would not be
impossible to receive a title again, would it?"
Although Egurodo had
feelings for Victor that went beyond dislike and bordered on hatred, Egurodo's
feelings for Mena were by no means bad.
Egurodo had inwardly
taken a liking to this maid, who was also skilled as a knight and who followed
her principles. If there was one thing he was dissatisfied with, it was that
this maid was serving his sworn enemy.
"I am sorry, but
with my old wounds, I doubt I would be of much help. And besides, I am now
Victor-sama's maid, and nothing more or less..."
"...Tch, those
old geezers."
Although Egurodo had
been smoothly refused by Mena, he did not feel particularly dissatisfied.
What he felt anger at
was not his old friend who had refused his invitation, but the nobles who had
disparaged her.
Of course, the nobles
he felt anger at had long since fallen, and he did not know what had become of
them now.
"The student you
taught the sword to, is she well? I hear she has grown quite a bit."
"If you mean Lady
Irisdina, she is still diligently training with her school friends. I am
probably no match for her now."
"I see, that is
wonderful. By the way, I hear that student is obsessed with a man. His name
was... Nozomu Bountis, wasn't it?"
Egurodo's gaze shifted
from Mena to Victor.
Even after receiving a
probing, testing gaze, Victor's expression did not twitch an inch.
While looking at the
expressionless Victor, Egurodo continued his words.
"The brilliant
underachiever who studied under Shino Mikagura... a rather strange man. Of
course, that's probably not all there is to it..."
"What. Are you so
free that you have time to worry about a mere student?"
"I hear he was
also there at the time of the magic tool accident that occurred at your mansion."
"Hah... what a busybody.
My daughter and he are friends. It wouldn't be strange for him to be invited to
the mansion, would it? I'm sorry, but unlike you, I am busy. I will be taking
my leave."
Victor, who had let
out a sigh as if exasperated, turned on his heel and began to walk away.
Mena, who was by
Victor's side, bowed to Egurodo and followed after him.
"Wait, weathercock1."
Egurodo stopped
Victor, who was about to leave, from behind.
Although Victor
continued to walk as if to say it was not worth listening to, Egurodo continued
his words without a care.
"You called me a
bronze statue, but what are you?"
A questioning tone. In
it, an even stronger negative emotion than before could be glimpsed.
"While spouting
sweet words and moving others, in the end, you let Filana die."
He had let Filana die.
At those words,
Victor's feet stopped for a moment.
"I wouldn't have
let her die. Even if it meant killing the child in her womb."
"Perhaps so. But
that is precisely why you were not chosen by her."
While turning around,
Victor only met his gaze.
Victor and Egurodo. It
could be said that the two were rivals in every sense.
In terms of their
family lineage, as political enemies, and also in love.
Ironically, the woman
who had truly captivated them in their lives was the same person. However, the
woman who had been chosen was Victor.
The two, who were
bound by a deep-seated feud, yet repelled each other like water and oil,
eventually turned their backs on each other and began to walk.
1 a metaphor to describe a person who is an opportunist or a fickle
person, driven by self-interest rather than firm principles.
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