Volume 2 - CH 24

Volume 2

Chapter 24-Ancient Legends and Nomination Requests

(TL:By Rafael)

"So, ......, are you sure she said 'cull'?"(Marquis)

"Yes."(Yuki)

One week after Hilde's manifestation.

In the reception room of the Duna Adventurer's Guild, I am currently being interviewed in person by the Marquis de Bedivere, director of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

As a result of discussing the contents with Viscount Boardman and Manuela, I decided to report to the Royal Academy of Sciences by letter bird, but I didn't expect to be interviewed out of the blue by a marquis who literally flew between the royal capital and Duna with a magic scroll of teleportation.

"Is there any footage of this?"(Marquis)

"I'm sorry, but it all happened so suddenly."(Yuki)

"No, I don't blame you, I just wanted to get as close to the truth as possible."(Marquis)

A great nobleman who resided in center of the country smiled lightly at me.

It was uncomfortable to recove goodwill by someone whom it was normally difficult to even meet face to face.

"Can I ask you a question?"(Yuki)

"Of course. If you're worried about your title, don't worry about it now. It's more of a loss if you shrink back and I don't listen to what the field has to say."(Marquis)

"What does the word  "culling" stand for ?"(Yuki)

"Mm."(Marquis)

The Marquis of Bedivere, who gave a small snort at my question, opened his mouth.

"Well, I should tell you. It is you who have been chosen, after all."(Marquis)

While speaking suspiciously, the Marquis spread out on the desk a sheet of drawings from his bag.

It looked like a drawing, but in the margins were a series of annotations.

"What is this?"(Yuki)

" It's a copy of an old mural in the basement of the royal family that was studied by the previous director, ......, my father, and it seems to depict the culling process."(Marquis)

I stared at the unfolded painting.

It was a simplified drawing of a huge black beast and the people confronting it, with some ancient writing on it.

Rain might be able to read it, but it's a little difficult for me.

"According to my father, the 'culling' is the sorting of the world."(Marquis)

"Selection?"(Yuki)

"Hmm. Do you know that it has been suggested that other worlds and parallel universes exist?"(Marquis)

I nodded at the Marquis' words.

The Marquis nodded his head. I remember that from my time in Colorless Darkness.

This is the convergence point of all these things.

"I've heard that culling is a large-scale phenomenon to sort out the overgrowth of the world. If you can't deal with it, the world itself will die. ......"(Marquis)

"Oh no, ......!"(Yuki)

My mind can't keep up with the weight of information.

I can't believe that this strange labyrinth is so important.

I'm aware that I'm looking away from it.

"The only thing I can say is that this ...... thing feels arbitrary. It's a strange thing to call it natural, but it seems to have been imposed on us by the "Twilight Capital" rather than brought to our world."(Marquis)

"Yes. Hilde made it sound like she meant that they brought it into this world."(Yuki)

"Whatever it is, the culling has come."(Marquis)

A heavy atmosphere filled the conference room.

I was hoping that Manuela would at least be here, but it was the Marquis's order to hear the matter in person.

"Now, I'm going to have to rely on you, ......, for this."(Marquis)

"Yes?"(Yuki)

"He gave you a name, didn't he? If so, then ......you  will be the focus of this cull."(Marquis)

"What do you mean?"(Yuki)

"It is said that with the coming of the Cull, the world will show counter measures in its defense. Look at this."(Marquis)

The Marquis pointed to a point on a copy of the mural.

In the painting, a figure with a sword stands at the head of an army, facing a black behemoth.

"A brave man."(Marquis)

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

I widened my eyes at the weight of what I was about to be burdened with.

I'm not kidding.

"Please give me a break."(Yuki)

"Not so fast. Yuki Ferdio."(Marquis)

The Marquis of Bedivere looks at me with a smile that masks the pressure.

" Fortunately, you're an A-rank adventurer, which means you're in a position to push the envelope. You also have a good track record. You've also got the buzz."(Marquis)

"Wait a minute. It's too much responsibility."(Yuki)

"Someone has to do it. And it can't be just anyone."(Yuki)

He put on a smile, but his eyes are not smiling.

And there is no one to ask for help.

Is this the reason for the meeting?

"If you don't do it, I'll have to call up all the other members of the party to grade A."(Marquis)

That threat was too cowardly.

I couldn't help but stare at the Marquis, forgetting that he was a great nobleman.

"Whoa, a little motivation there, eh? You're a little too backward compared to him, even though you look like a young saga."(Marquis)

"Do you know my uncle?"(Yuki)

"An old friend. He was a man of intuition and confidence, and a good adventurer with the skills to prove it."(Marquis)

The Marquis' eyes turn to me as he speaks sullenly.

"I'm sure he'll be more than happy to oblige, though, won't he?"(Marquis)

"......"(Yuki)

It's not fair, either.

It is very difficult to keep your cool when your uncle, who you look up to as your mentor, is being quoted.

But I don't think I'm as good as my uncle, and more importantly, it's too risky to involve those girls in something like this.

I don't care if it's just me.

"Seriously, I'd appreciate it if you'd take this on. I'll give you all the support I can."(Marquis)

"Aren't you expecting too much from me?"(Yuki)

"Intuition. Besides, you were named by the Otherworldly Apostle, weren't you? You've been handpicked by ...... as an A-ranked adventurer, Yuki Ferdio."(Marquis)

The words fell easily into my mind.

This marquis seems to have a good understanding of what it means to be an adventurer.

"I'd like to think about it for a while."(Yuki)

"Sure. But the sooner you answer, the better. Do you understand?"(Marquis)

"Yes."(Yuki)

The Marquis of Bedivere raised the corners of his mouth as I nodded, as if he could see right through me, but I didn't feel bad.

"There are things that only you can do."(Marquis)

"I'll consult with my colleagues."(Yuki)

"You do that. If I'm right, your doubts will soon be cleared up."(Marquis)

I bowed deeply to the Marquis of Bedivere, who simply smiled at me, and left the reception room.

TL Note-  Dangerous mission on the whole world at stake.....Some people are born great and some people have greatness forced upon them but this Marquis is simply  a peice of art.