Chapter 201 Can Anyone Really See Me, Of All People, As A Guy Who'd Surrender To Authority?
Only the 3 of us, I, Fiona, and Logan, followed Lady Eva outside.
We left the others behind in the mansion, entrusting them with the unconscious Noah. There was no need for everyone to move together, and having a large group would only serve to unnecessarily alert the enemy.
So, with Lady Eva, the 4 of us headed out.
Our destination was the vast grounds of Kirke, specifically a corner of the devastated garden. It seemed that they were temporarily gathering the bodies of both enemies and allies who had fallen in the recent attack.
Lady Eva explained to us as we walked that they were investigating and recording the identities of the fallen, and that's why they were examining the bodies.
We kept running into Kirke's servants, who were carrying the stored bodies in storage rings, just like they had been doing earlier.
Almost all of them looked pale. I wondered why, and as I listened carefully, I could faintly hear the servants' conversations.
"It's terrible..." "Unbearable to look at..." "Even if they were the enemy, didn't they go too far?" "Who――" "It's the ≪Iron Wall Alliance≫..." "Their upper bodies were blown off..." "Pulverized..." "Ugh...!"
...Hmm.
It seems that Garon and his group went too far.
I thought they were one of the few sane people in the clan, but maybe I was wrong. ...If that's the case, then I'm the only sane person left in the clan... Ah, what a pain. I give up.
"Phew...it seems I'm the only sane one left."
"Huh? Fiona, did you say something?"
"...No, it's nothing."
"Is that so?"
I thought Fiona said something, so I turned around, but it was just my imagination.
I turned my face back to the front, still bothered by the lack of sane people around me, and tried to shake off my worries. Now's not the time to be worried about the lack of mentally stable people in our clan.
Anyway...
After walking for a bit, we arrived at a place where around ten people were gathered. In front of us, there were dozens of corpses lined up. About half of them had black cloths covering their faces, making it impossible to see their conditions. They must have been severely injured.
"――Father."
Lady Eva called out to a middle-aged man who was talking in the center of the group. The man, who had the same golden hair and golden eyes as Lady Eva, turned around. However, his hair was thinning... or rather, it looked sad.
Lady Eva calling him "Father" means he must be Isaac Kirke, the current head of the Kirke family.
"Eva? Wha――――!? Logan!?"
"Milord, I'm sorry for not being in touch."
"Why are you――!? Here!!?"
Mr. Isaac was staring at Logan with a shocked expression.
I'm not surprised that Logan is alive, since I heard rumors of their secret cooperation underground. But it looks like Mr. Isaac is more surprised that Logan is here, and it's bothering him.
On the other hand, Logan didn't seem to care about Mr. Isaac's stare, and took a step forward.
"To be honest, I was defeated by Aaron Gale and became a prisoner. I promised to tell him about Stampede, the Association, God, and the relationships between the 4 families."
"Aaron Gale... the ≪Extreme Sword≫!!"
For some reason, Mr. Isaac's face twisted in disgust as he glared at me. It seems that even the powerful know of the names ≪Extreme Sword≫. I'm not happy about it at all.
"What are you saying? Are you kidding me!? What kind of nonsense are you spouting!! You can't just talk about that because of the contract..."
"――Secret Society Chronosphere."
"""!?"""
Mr. Isaac and the others gathered there all wore shocked expressions at the same time.
Meanwhile, Logan continued.
"Secret Society Chronosphere is the mastermind behind Stampede, and its leader is Jilva――."
"Wait a minute!!!!"
Mr. Isaac's thunderous voice cut off Logan's words.
Then, with a fierce, beast-like expression, he glared at Logan.
"Why can you say that!? What about the contract!?"
"Huh? I think I just realized, and it was gone..."
"――Are you kidding me!! This is a divine contract! It can't be annulled!!"
It seems that, just like Noah, this is a shocking event for Mr. Isaac as well.
The reason why Logan can speak the secret is still unknown, but... maybe it's because my daily behavior has been good lately. That's the only thing I can think of.
As I thought that, 2 people from the center of the group stepped forward, just like Mr. Isaac.
"This is getting interesting. Count me in too."
"The current state of Logan cannot be overlooked. Can you tell me the details, please?"
"Uncle Duncan, Uncle Zephyr..."
Lady Eva called out the names of the two, so I was able to figure out their true identities.
Though, to be honest, I've actually met one of them before.
The sturdy man with short red hair and golden eyes is Duncan Gridavor, the head of the Gridavor family.
And the slender man with silver hair and golden eyes is Zephyr Aron, probably the head of the Aron family.
Mr. Duncan raised one hand towards me.
"Hey there! Mr. 'Wood Sword Meister'! Long time no see!"
"I'm grateful for that... Ah, yes, I've recently developed a new wooden sword, combining the cores of the Elder Treant and the ≪Ice Elemental Treant≫... Would you like to buy it?"
"Wow, that sounds fascinating! I'd love to purchase it! ... But, unfortunately, I'm not talking to you as a wood sword enthusiast, but as the head of the Gridavor family."
"Is that so... That's unfortunate. Then, I'll speak to you not as the 'Wood Sword Meister', but as a single explorer."
I think that's enough courtesy towards my customer. From now on, I'll speak as an explorer.
"Let's get straight to the point. I know that you [Four Great Families of the Seals] are connected to the masterminds behind the Stampede, and I have a witness named Logan. I want you to reveal all the secrets you're hiding. ... Can I count on your cooperation to make sure the Stampede never happens again?"
After all, the people I'm talking to are high-society individuals. As a member of society, I politely conveyed my demands to them.
Against that, the one who responded to my demands was Mr. Isaac.
"Hmph! What a joke! What kind of authority do you have to say such ridiculous things? It's the Council and us, the [Four Great Families of the Seals], who govern Necronia's city politics. Even if you're called the ≪Extreme Sword≫ and have some fame, you're just a ordinary citizen, and it's not your place to meddle in this!!"
"......"
This guy is the type who would casually disband a clan or hinder a labyrinth conquest, thinking it's no big deal. I expected him to be like this. That's why I'll take another step forward.
"...If you won't talk, then I'll reveal the secrets about the Chronosphere society that I heard from Logan."
"H-hah! You think you can threaten me? Unfortunately, the prestige of the Four Great Families isn't so easily shaken!! The citizens will clearly believe our official announcement over your empty threats!!"
For a moment, he seemed to waver, but Mr. Isaac quickly regained his composure and spoke with confidence.
...Hmm, so he wants to deny my story, proclaim it as a lie to the citizens, and then spread a convenient fabricated story that benefits the [Four Great Families of the Seals] as the truth, right?
Indeed, that would put me in a bad light. The titles of "Sword Saint" and ≪Extreme Sword≫ are nothing compared to the immense prestige of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], which has been passed down since ancient times.
But I have a final resort.
Haaaaah... I took a deep breath, and then I spoke with pride.
"...What a joke... Can anyone really see me, of all people, as a guy who'd surrender to authority?"
"――You're right on the money!!"
"""......"""
Lady Eva was the one who responded strongly to my words without hesitation.
In the silent, filled space, I slowly turned around and said,
"Lady Eva, let's have a serious talk for now. Can you please just listen?"
"Ah, I'm sorry...! I just couldn't help it...!! Because of what happened before...!!"
Lady Eva's face turned red as she apologized.
Seriously, can't she read the atmosphere?
I turned to face Mr. Isaac and the others, cleared my throat with a "ahem", and then let out a deep sigh.
After that, I lifted my head proudly and repeated myself.
"...What a joke... Can anyone really see me, of all people, as a guy who'd surrender to authority?"
"What, what's going on...!?"
Mr. Isaac's eyes widened in surprise, and Mr. Duncan and the others were also shocked and on guard, their eyes fixed on the long sword "Black-White" that I had taken out and was now shouldering.
As I drew my sword, I poured magical energy and aura into it, dyeing the blade black and the rest white.
I don't know if Mr. Isaac and the others knew about "Black-White"'s capabilities, but with my aura infused, it was clear that I was ready to fight.
Mr. Isaac's face turned red with anger as he condemned me for drawing my sword.
"What, you...!! Are you planning to resort to violence?! Is that what a hero, someone who's supposed to be a role model, would do?!"
Is a hero? I've never been called that before... but anyway. I answer confidently, without batting an eye.
"Violence? That's a bad rumor. It's not violence. This is a revolutionary act for justice!! Or should I say, persuasion through body language!!"
"H-hey, if it's body language, then why don't you use your own body instead of a weapon?!"
"This sword was made by me, and it's like my own child. In other words, it's a part of me."
"Grrr...!! You're saying some pretty clever things...!!"
"Did he say something clever...?"
Lady Eva muttered something behind me, but I ignored it and continued talking.
"If you're not going to talk, then I'll make you talk by force. Or do you want to go to war with the 4 families and me?"
"Ku... hahahaha! Fuhahahahaha!!"
Mr. Isaac suddenly burst out laughing.
And it seemed like he had been preparing for this moment. As he took out his staff from his storage ring, he deployed his prepared magic circle and activated his magic.
A semi-transparent barrier enveloped Mr. Isaac.
"Don't make me laugh! You think you can beat me, the head of the 4 families, with just a heavy-attribute weapon?! This barrier is a high-level space magic, [World-Dimensional Barrier]! No matter how strong your heavy-attribute weapon is, it's not like it can surpass space magic!! In other words, you can't break through this high-level barrier!! Don't get too full of yourself, ≪Extreme Sword≫!! You may be strong, but that's only in the narrow world without the 4 families' magicians!!"
"......"
"Alright, you all! Take down that annoying guy while I'm defending myself!!"
――Bang!!
And then, Mr. Isaac's [World-Dimensional Barrier] was easily sliced like paper, cracks spread, and it shattered.
"――What's going on?"
A black aura sword was thrust at Mr. Isaac's throat, and his voice trembled.
My unique sword technique――[Heavy Fang Flying Control Sword]
I didn't even flinch, and with the aura sword released from "Black-White" on my shoulder, I simply sliced through Mr. Isaac's barrier.
And the black aura sword wasn't just one. It was also thrust at Mr. Isaac, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Zephyr, and the others from the 4 families, a total of 11 swords.
"Uuuuh...?!?"
Mr. Isaac's eyes widened, and he let out a pointless cry as he started sweating profusely.
His broad forehead was instantly drenched, and his eyes sparkled with fear.
Mr. Duncan, Mr. Zephyr, and the others from the 4 families were also shocked that their barriers had been easily broken, or maybe they were just frozen in reaction to the sudden appearance of the aura swords, and they stood there, eyes wide open, saying nothing.
"......"
"......Aaron Gale, calm down, let's talk about this, okay?"
With a pleading face and voice, I dispersed the aura swords that were thrust at their throats.
"――You think you're clever, huh?! Idiot!! You let your guard down!!"
Right after the aura swords disappeared, Mr. Isaac burst out laughing, taunting me as if to say I was an idiot.
The next instant, magical energy suddenly radiated around me from somewhere. The magical energy converged into one point. It's probably teleportation magic. Judging from the amount of magical energy, it seems that several dozen people are about to teleport.
I don't know how or when they contacted each other, but they seem to be planning to surround us in large numbers.
The time lag between the magical energy radiation and the teleportation is extremely short.
(Can I...? Yeah, I can do it.)
I'll try to see if I can do it as I imagined.
I'll leave the radiated magical energy untouched and make them activate the teleportation magic without any issues.
Right after, several dozen Space magicians, armed with staves, teleported around us.
"Hahahahahaa!!!! You're called ≪Extreme Sword≫ and you've gotten too full of yourself!! Surrounded by this many people, you're in a pinch!! No matter how strong you say you are, you're still just a being who can't use Space magic!! If you're not one of the Four Great Families of the Seals, you're nothing!! Don't think you can mess with Isaac Kirke, the head of the Four Great Families of the Seals, and still live in Necronia!! If you don't want to die, shut your mouth about everything you've seen today, and get out of here with Logan!!
Mr. Isaac shouted with an air of confidence.
"――No way."
I flatly refused.
Mr. Isaac's face turned red with anger, and he shouted even louder.
"What a fool!! You've just blown your only chance to survive!! I've had enough of your mercy!! Get rid of this idiot already!!"
With a swift motion, he thrust his right hand forward, as if giving a signal.
Upon Mr. Isaac's signal, the Space Magicians surrounding us raised their hands to cast magic――
"""Wait, what's going on?"""
"""Huh?"""
――but nothing happened.
Everyone's faces were filled with confusion, their heads tilted in bewilderment.
"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?! Finish him off already!!"
"B-But... the magic won't activate!!"
"What's going on!!"
Mr. Isaac's eyes widened in shock, and he turned towards me with an awkward, stiff movement. Then, he cautiously asked,
"D-Did you... do something?"
I sent him a cold, freezing gaze, replying in a flat tone,
"I can release my aura as a technique, then change its properties to turn it into a different technique."
"... Ah, I see. So, that aura sword from earlier...?"
I nodded slightly, teaching him.
"Take a closer look around you."
"...Ah, ah, ah, ah...!"
Finally, they realized. Mr. Isaac and the others opened their eyes wide, their pale faces scanning their surroundings.
My unique sword technique [Heavy Fang Flying Control Sword]――――hidden technique [Black Seal Domain]...
As they gazed intently, they realized that a thin, black mist-like substance was drifting around me. This was the mist of heavy attribute aura.
To put it simply, it's a technique that specializes in hindering Space magic, using the [Calamity Overpressure] I used against Noah. Within the area where this mist spreads, it's impossible to use Space magic. Well, if someone as skilled as Noah were here, they might be able to forcefully break through the hindrance... but it seems there's no one here who can match Noah's skills.
And this hindrance effect is even more precise than [Calamity Overpressure] due to its specialization. It can also be used to cast magic without hindrance by channeling magical energy from outside the area.
I could have blocked the teleportation itself, but it's better to "let them know" and make it clear.
"Ugh...!!?"
Mr. Isaac was sweating profusely again, his face looking like he was relaxing in a sauna, but his expression was far from relaxed.
However, despite his worried face, Mr. Isaac had been trying to channel magical energy somewhere from a while ago. Without a doubt, it was teleportation magic. I blocked all of it.
"You've been trying to escape somewhere, but it's no use."
"Uuuuuh...!!?"
I told him to stop struggling, and with a show of force, I poured my aura into "Black-White" and took a strong stance.
"So, I'll ask you again, just once more. ...Will you talk honestly, or will you fight me? Which one will it be?"
"Huuuuuh...!!?"
And so, it continued...
Sweating bullets, Mr. Isaac was still hesitant to answer.
――There's no other choice.
I made up my mind. I'll say that Lady Eva is the next head of the Kirke family, and Mr. Isaac will have to sacrifice himself, or...
Maybe Lady Eva's relationship with her father's killer would get all complicated, but I'm not going to point my sword at the heads of the 4 families without a second thought either.
――I'll kill him.
Just as I made up my mind, Lady Eva opened her mouth, beating me to the punch.
"――Father, if you admit defeat, don't be stubborn, and just admit it already, okay? Mr. Aaron is the one who's going to kill you, okay?"
"Uggggghhh...!!!"
Mr. Isaac was still showing hesitation.
――This is getting ridiculous.
I started counting down.
"5, 4, 3――――."
"I-I-I'm not going to tell you anything!!"
"...2, 1."
"What, didn't I just say I'd tell you now?!"
"――Tch."
――And so, Logan followed suit, revealing everything he knew to the 4 families.
I want to believe that from now on, they won't secretly get rid of Logan without anyone knowing, or let him escape on his own, or break their promise.
Well, if that happens, I'll just have to wage war again, that's all――――.
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